INTRODUCTION 3 



the first few preliminary strains of an orchestra about 

 to commence in real earnest. February shows, on 

 the one hand, a perceptible decline in the voice of 

 the Mistle-Thrush, and an equally apparent increase 

 in the melody of the Song Thrush. There are days 

 now when the former bird is silent or fitful in voice, 

 but the latter bird sings more and more freely right 

 through the month. Now, too, the sweet-voiced 

 Blackbird may be heard at intervals trying over his 

 long-lost song. The Robin sings with increasing 

 freedom ; the Wren and the Hedge Accentor much 

 more regularly. The Starling's song becomes more 

 persistent, and the Sky- Lark may fairly be said to 

 resume its usual song towards the end of the month. 

 Should the season be mild and open the Wood-Lark 

 too regains its voice. Two other familiar birds 

 regain their song in February, the Chaffinch and the 

 Yellow Bunting. 



March may be said to mark the real commence- 

 ment of the vernal chorus which is soon to swell into 

 such a perfect torrent of song that each individual 

 singer will almost lose his identity in the growing 

 volume of melody. One notable exception, however, 

 is presented in the Mistle-Thrush. All through the 

 boisterous days of this month, when spring seems 

 ever struggling with winter for supremacy, the 

 " Stormcock " sings with waning power, and is often 

 silent altogether for days. The Song Thrush now 

 is in full voice, and the Blackbird's mellow song 



