CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 137 



southern climes in August and September. 

 Although the song has been celebrated by writers 

 in all ages, some persons prefer that of the Thrush 

 or Blackbird ; others, perhaps, that of the Lark or 

 Black Cap. 



Mr. W. H. Hudson, in making allusion to its 

 particular merits or demerits, says : " The song is, 

 nevertheless, exceedingly beautiful, its phrasing is 

 more perfect than that of any other British melodist; 

 and the voice has a combined strength, purity, and 

 brilliance, probably without a parallel." 



Now, the above faithfully represents this bird's 

 great singing qualities. I have listened to its song 

 intently under very different circumstances — on a 

 bright sunny afternoon, when I have concealed my- 

 self in a coppice of hazel bushes, and heard the male 

 pouring out its rapturous notes to the female, who, 

 probably, was sitting on the nest not far off; also as 

 late as 1 1 and 1 2 on some clear moonlio^ht nig-ht. 

 Under these latter conditions, viz, the stillness of the 

 night, the soft pale moon, the starry sky, etc., when 

 one is not too close to the bird, I think the song 

 sounds heavenly. 



In Mr. Pycraft's "Story of Bird Life," the reason he 

 assigns for so much singing on the part of the males 

 during courtship is, he says, "primarily for the 

 purpose of winning a mate, and for her delectation 

 during the period of incubation. It seems certain 

 there exists a great deal of rivalry amongst the 

 males of each particular species in the neighbour- 

 hood as to which shall sing best, the judges being 



