BIRD LIFE, ETC. 157 



Other friends too, still dearer, I overlooked, especially 

 him who now, in some Canadian wilderness, is making 

 room for himself and his family, beset perhaps with 

 murderous rebels and renegades, my best and most 

 beloved friend, William Craigie ; and him too, of sultry 

 Louisiana, the wanderer of the wild woods, the warm- 

 hearted and generous Audubon ; and many more, some 

 of whom I shall have occasion to mention, but above 

 all, one who will presently welcome us, for here. No. 1 

 Wharton Place, we end our digression for the present. 

 — British Birds, vol. ii. p. 13. 



12. — The Song of the Blackbird. 



Although the blackbird sings at all times of the day, 

 it is more especially in the mornings and evenings that 

 it pours forth its delightful melodies, which, simple as 

 they are, I am unable to describe in a more effective 

 manner than by characterising them as loud, rich, mellow, 

 and much surpassing in effect those of any other native 

 bird, excepting the nightingale, song thrush, black-cap, 

 and garden warbler. I have heard individuals singing 

 most fervently in the midst of a heavy thunder storm, 

 when the rain was falling thickly, and the lightning 

 flashing at an alarming rate ; and both this species and 

 the song thrush seem to regard the summer rains with 

 pleasure. 



The sweet strain, loud, but mellowed by distance, 

 comes upon the ear, inspiring pleasant thoughts, and 



