122 British Song Birds. 



foregoing, his song is not begun high, diminishing off to an 

 inarticulate pp. cadenza ; but the contrary : he begins with 

 two or three short essays of double notes, gradually crescendo 

 up to a loud and full swell of varied expression. The follow- 

 ing passage often occurs : — 



' ' ' i-^-Ar 



m ^^ ^ m 



^ — ^ 



as truly enunciated as if performed on an octave flute. Like 

 their congeners, they sing only during their courtship and 

 breeding season. The style and key of their song are nearly 

 the same in all individuals ; though some may be noticed to 

 vary in style. I knew one bird that frequented the same spot 

 of a wood for three summers, who signalised himself by a 

 peculiar arrangement of notes, very much excelling his 

 brethren around. The blackcap is certainly the finest singer 

 of the whole tribe of warblers, except the nightingale. 



The next is a common bird, but more admired for the 

 beauty of his plumage than for the excellence of his song, 

 viz. the Redstart (Sylvia Phoenicurus). This is one of the 

 most delicate of our birds of passage, arriving in April and 

 remaining till the end of summer. Soon after his arrival he 

 stations himself on the top of high trees, and thence pours 

 forth, at short intervals, his brief, though not unpleasant, strain. 

 His voice is weak, and almost lost among the accompani- 

 ments of nearer or louder songsters. 



When we visit bushy commons, or rough uncultivated 

 ground, we meet with two others of this vocal tribe, namely, 

 the Whinchat (Sylvia Rubetra), and Stonechat ( Sylvia Rubi- 

 cola). Their songs resemble each other; each being a short 

 strain of a few soft notes, occasionally repeated, while sitting 

 on a spray near their nests. They are both alarmists, parti- 

 cularly the first ; flitting from bush to bush or along a hedge 

 before the traveller, uttering a quick chee-chuck-chucking 

 cry, accompanied by a quick jerk of the wings and tail. 



Before leaving the furze-covered common, let us look for, 

 or listen to the chant of, the Dartford Warbler (Sylvia pro- 

 vincialis). Perchance it may be found among the low bushes. 

 Forty years have I been looking for this rare and pretty little 

 warbler ; and never met with it, to my knowledge, till about 

 a month ago (7th July). 1 was favoured with the sight of 

 three young ones, in the possession of Mr. Bennett, surgeon, 

 New Street, Dorset Square, London, a gentleman fond of orni- 

 thology ; and who has a fine collection of summer birds, kept 



