10 OUR FAVOURITE SONG BIRDS 



breaks out into song during" October, the Sky- Lark 

 occasionally. Sad November still more reduces the 

 sum of avine song, and but three species can be 

 classed as regular singers. These are the Mistle- 

 Thrush, whose song only seems to gain in power 

 and beauty as the weather becomes more and more 

 inclement ; the Robin and the Wren, whose melody 

 gladdens our hearts like the voices of old familiar 

 friends amidst the general desolation of the ruined 

 choirs. The Hedge Accentor is a capricious song- 

 ster now, and the least inclemency of weather will 

 close his jerky music at once. Our old friend the 

 Starling still delights us at intervals, and the Sky- 

 Lark daring exceptionally favourable weather is 

 tempted to soar heavenwards in a fitful burst of 

 song. December, again, is marked by little variety 

 of bird music, although the month is by no means 

 a silent one. Songs are sung more fitfully, much 

 depending upon the weather, but a warm day is 

 sure to be a musical one in some degree. Cock 

 Robin remains faithful to his muse, and the Misde- 

 Thrush gladdens us amidst the wintry sadness with 

 his voice. The Wren and the Hedge Accentor 

 (especially the latter) sing on at intervals, but the 

 Starling becomes perceptibly more musical. Here 

 and there in the southern counties a Song Thrush 

 breaks into fitful song, and a warm day still con- 

 tinues to tempt the Sky- Lark to musical effort. This 

 completes the song cycle of the months, bringing us 



