So?ig of the Bramble Finch, 487 



ling appeared to be its chief favourites ; whilst it only touched 

 once or twice on the notes of the greenfinch and the linnet. 

 It had been very sparing, also, in its use of the chaffinch's 

 note, until one in the neighbourhood had begun to twink 

 twink twink; then the mocking-bird took it up, and tmnked 

 away for fifty times together. In the next morning the 

 linnet's note was much more in request; and it also made 

 more use of notes with which I was not acquainted. On 

 neither day did it touch upon the notes of the redstart or pied 

 wagtail, both of which I had heard frequently used by the 

 mocking-bird before. On the other hand, I had not previously 

 observed the notes of the starling and whin linnet, which this 

 bird gave in perfection ; and, therefore, though I have said, 

 in my former communication (V. 653, 654.), that I had never 

 heard it make use of the notes of any of the larks or thrushes, 

 I would not be understood to say that this never happens. 

 It is difficult to say, perhaps, that it has a note which is not 

 an imitation ; but there is one which it always makes use of 

 when any person approaches the nest (intermixed, however, 

 w^ith the notes of the swallow, whinchat, and whitethroat) : 

 this is something like chur-r-r chur-r-r, prolonging the sound 

 of the r very considerably, and in a style which would be quite 

 an acquisition to the Northumbrians, if they could attain it. 

 May 29. 1834. 



Art. IV. A Notice of the Songs of the Bramble Finch, the Moun- 

 tain Linnet, and the Tree Sparrow ; with Remarks on each 

 Species, By Mr. Edward Blyth. 



I AM not aware that the songs of these birds have ever yet 

 been described. Mr. Selby, in his account of the first, observes, 

 that he is " unable to say whether its notes ever vary in the 

 spring, or whether it possesses any proper song." I .have 

 repeatedly heard its song in confinement, and have one now 

 in my possession which sings frequently. Its song consists 

 only of a few coarse unmusical notes, generally delivered in 

 an under tone ; and not the least resembling the chaffinch's 

 song, nor that of any other bird with which I am acquainted. 

 I hardly know how to describe the song of the bramble finch : 

 if a person were to fill his mouth half full of water, and draw 

 it slowly backwards and forwards through his teeth, the sound 

 produced would not be much unlike it, at least in part. It 

 also utters a kind of chuck^ analogous to the twi7ik of the chaf- 

 finch ; and sometimes a hoarse jay-like call to its companions. 



The mountain linnet's song is chattering and inarticulate, 



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