414 



American Song Birds. 



fields, is the pleasure of seeing specimens preserved neatly and 

 in good order ; and nothing is better fitted for this than paste- 

 board boxes. 



Zjee, Kent, Dec, 16. 



Art. IIL Sketches of Tiuenty-four American Song Birds, 

 By J. Rennie, A.m. 



It was promised, in a recent Number (p. 347.), to disprove 

 the opinion of Buffon, which has grown into a prejudice 

 pretty generally diffused, that the birds of America are inferior 

 in song to those of Europe; because, says the eloquent but 

 credulous and mistaken naturalist, by living in a savage coun- 

 try, their voices become harsh and unmusical. But, before 

 coming to particulars, I may be permitted to enquire, since 

 birds sing in a pitch so irregular, and with intervals so ui> 

 settled, exhibiting a total disregard to measure and rhythm, 

 what makes their music pleasing ? The cause has been traced 

 to association, for they seldom sing but in fine weather and 

 when pleased ; and, for the last reason, even the sostenuto of 

 the cat is not unpl easing. The variety and rapidity of their 

 notes and intonation also awaken attention ; and the contrast 

 between rapid flights of double-demi-semi-quavers, and length- 

 ened and sweet minims, is often wonderful ; such as the soft 

 and sustained notes of the nightingale, succeeded by a short 

 and expressive passage of quicker sound. It is perhaps too 

 much to say, that we have borrowed all our music from birds, 

 but some of it is evidently a plagiarism : for instance, the 

 following German waltz : — 



Ife^ 



feSffi 





g^giiiiii 



