288 On the Singing of Birds. 



their song, to listen well to its particular strain, and, from its 

 particular modifications, to judge of its producing cause. 



Mr. Conway asks, " Why is the nightingale more joyous 

 than other birds during the night?" The nightingale is a 

 bird of shy and retired habits, and sings " concealed in the 

 thickest part of a bush or small tree ; " and, therefore, the 

 night, especially if bright and moonlight, is best suited for 

 the bird's pouring forth its peculiarly affecting strains, in strict 

 accordance with its constitutional habits. Besides, were the 

 nightingale to sing only during the day, we should lose all 

 the beauties and graces of his song [V. 426.], as the din and 

 bustle of surrounding occupations, the cawing of rooks, the 

 chatter of the magpie, and the unceasing and noisy chirp of 

 the sparrow, would reduce this favourite songster of the night 

 to a level with the poor insignificant hedge sparrow ; and, 

 therefore, her evening vigils are in strict unison with the 

 unerring wisdom and design of that sacred and omnipotent 

 Being, that spake her into active existence, and who clothes 

 even our varied climate with new, rich, and sublime beauties 

 every returning spring. 



What can more powerfully stimulate the little warblers of 

 the grove to song, 



" Or tune their throats to harmony," 



than a serene sky, a pure — a balmy air, a lovely fragrance 

 wafted by gentle zephyrs, which seem to give additional ex- 

 hilarating spirits at every breeze ? all nature becomes decked 

 in her richest robes; all is harmony; all is admirably calcu- 

 lated to transfuse delight into the mind ; and, as Milton ex- 

 presses it, 



" To the heart inspiring 



Vernal delight and joy. 



They * feel a power, an impulse all divine, 

 That prompts to song : they feel it and obey. 

 Their song is heightened by the genial warmth 

 Of summer ; thus cheerfully they warble 

 Forth in accents sweet their heavenly songs, 

 In sweet accordance with their Maker's will." 



As the season of spring stimulates the feathered songsters 

 to fill our woods, and groves, and fields, with melody, so the 

 return of winter hushes into silence their tuneful pipes, and 

 leaves our woods to desolating blasts and howling tempests. 



S. D. W. (IX. 207.), in reference to this question, says, 

 that " recourse must be had to the most useful of sciences, 

 phrenology." 



* Birds. 



