INTRODUCTION 9 



Accentor less frequently keeps him company. 

 Curiously enough the Willow Wren regains his 

 song in September, just before he leaves us, but 

 it is odd birds only that now break into music. 

 The Starling sings at varying intervals, as he will 

 continue to do right through the winter, as also will 

 the Sky-Lark. Now and then during the last ten 

 days of the month the Chaffinch may be heard to 

 sing fitfully ; the Yellow Bunting sings irregularly ; 

 the Greenfinch a little during the closing half ; the 

 Pipits and Warblers remain mute until the following 

 spring. October is very similar to September in 

 the character of its song. The Mistle-Thrush, of 

 course, is in fine voice ; and very rarely the Song 

 Thrush and the Blackbird, now safely over their 

 moult, may be heard to sing a little, mostly young 

 birds gaining the first rudiments of their musical 

 education. The Robin sings with admirable per- 

 sistency and regularity throughout the month ; the 

 Wren and the Hedge Accentor much more frequently 

 than before, although in a decidedly irregular manner. 

 The Chiffchaff and the Willow Wren may some- 

 times be heard during the first week of the month, 

 but not after ; they then finally quit our country 

 for the winter. All the Warblers are gone south 

 to their winter resorts ; but the voice of the Chaf- 

 finch, sounding strangely out of season we always 

 think, may sometimes be heard, as also that of the 

 Yellow Bunting. The Greenfinch not unfrequently 



