420 Some Account of the British Song Birds. 



sung for an equal portion of time. He, however, begins his 

 song early in the year; and every such sound at that time is 

 agreeable, merely from its being associated with our ideas of 

 another summer, and also because he is sometimes mistaken 

 for the song thrush. Our present subject is also called the 

 storm thrush, and not without some . reason ; because in 

 severe winters the frost is usually broken up by a gale from 

 the S.W. This brings milder air, and a thaw, together with 

 the vernal song of birds ; the missel thrush being the most 

 conspicuous of the whole. During the equinoctial gales, too, 

 in the month of March, this thrush is often seen perched on 

 the highest branch of a tree, braving the blast, and bawling 

 forth his monotonous song. His nest is frequently robbed 

 of the eggs or young by the audacious crows or magpies ; 

 but this can only be done with impunity in the absence of the 

 old ones, who, if present, defend their nest courageously, and 

 with loud cries drive the cruel pilferers from their prey. 



It has been matter of doubt whether the peculiar song of 

 birds be innate, or only acquired. Conflicting opinions are 

 held. Mr. Sweet brings forward strong proof that young 

 birds never gain the song of their parents if they have never 

 heard them ; while, in respect to a tame young cuckoo, 

 brought up by hand, and which never heard the voice of its 

 parents, it sung, nevertheless, its proper call in the winter. 

 This tells the contrary way. 



In conclusion, it may be added, there are many other birds 

 than those mentioned, that assist to diversify and fill up " the 

 music of the groves ;" but, separately considered, their notes 

 are only calls expressive of amatory or social invitation, 

 joyous feeling, parental solicitude, surprise, fear, &c. Such 

 are the notes of the greater titmouse, the garrulous prating 

 of the smaller species, the crowing of the domestic cock, 

 the partridge, pheasant, quail, and corncrake; the notes of the 

 nuthatch and cuckoo ; the cawing of the rook and jackdaw ; 

 the laugh of the green woodpecker, and the plaintive cooing 

 of the turtledove and woodpigeon : all these are the chanted 

 language, though not exactly the songs, of the feathered race, 

 and give that delight to the ear, that is experienced by the eye 

 while contemplating the various forms and beauties of sylvan 

 scenery, 



J. Main, 

 Jult/, 1831. 



