352 RETROSPECT. 



clothed it in the dissimilar plumage of the cock bird. Mr. Sweet 

 informs us of a hen nightingale which he " kept four years, without 

 its even attempting to sing ; the fifth year it sang frequently, a pretty 

 soft nightingale's note." He adds, " I have found that the case with 

 several female birds ; they do not sing till they become aged : but it is not 

 a general rule, as I have had a female willow- wren (Sylvia trochilus), 

 that sung when quite young." To this I can add an instance of a 

 thrush (Turdus musicus), one of the finest songsters I ever heard, and 

 which was always considered to have been a male bird until it was 

 two years old, when an egg was found in the cage, and two days after- 

 wards another. We have here, therefore, three authenticated instances 

 of a curious deviation from ordinary rule, which, not improbably, occurs 

 much oftener than we are aware of. There are, however, some small 

 birds in which both sexes are endowed with the same musical powers ; 

 as examples of which may be adduced the common bullfinch of this 

 country, and the cardinal grosbeak (Gnarica cardinalis, SWAINSON) of 

 North America. The female red-breasts, also, I am inclined to suspect, 

 sing during the winter months ; at least, I have never yet noticed a 

 red-breast in the winter that did not sing, after I had taken the trouble 

 to watch it for a few minutes. The fact, however, may be easily 

 enough ascertained by dissection. 



I have before had occasion to advert to the extremely quarrelsome and 

 domineering disposition of the babillard or lesser whitethroat (Ficedula 

 garrnla), when in confinement. Though small in size, this species is 

 generally master of the aviary it inhabits, whatever may be the size of 

 its companions. I have known this little bird attack, and completely 

 persecute many species very much its superiors in size, and apparently 

 in force ; amongst which, might be enumerated the bramblefinch, the 

 bullfinch, the redbreast, the nightingale, and even the oxeye ( Partis 

 major) ; but it soon ceases its attacks when any of them attempt 

 to retaliate. The most inveterate antagonist which my babillard 

 has to encounter is the small redpole finch (Linaria minor), a species 

 of about the same size as itself, and, in my individual, of an 

 equally pugnacious disposition. These two little birds have fought 

 many a well contested battle with various success ; until, at length, 

 each seems to have acquired a proper respect for the other's prowess ; 

 at any rate, it is now some time since I have heard of their contending. 

 The furze- warbler (F. ulicicola], though equally animated and 

 lively with the babillard, is of the same quiet, amicable disposition 



