INTRODUCTION ii 



to the dawn of a new year, when every note but 

 hastens and foretells the approach of yet another 

 glorious concert swelling and declining as another 

 season passes on. 



The various actions of birds whilst singing are 

 not without interest, and are also an aid to the 

 identification of the species uttering them. Amongst 

 some species the habit of soaring predominates, as 

 with the Pipits, attaining its greatest development 

 in the Sky- Lark. Other birds accompany their song 

 with nervous movements of the wings, or vibrations 

 of the plumage, as for instance the Starling. Most 

 birds sit or stand perfectly still whilst uttering their 

 song, but the Swallow and some other species warble 

 most freely as they fly. 



We may profitably conclude this introductory 

 chapter with a few remarks on the philosophy ot 

 avine song. The song of birds, there can be little 

 doubt, is one of the many forms in which natural 

 beauty is expressed. Some birds display their 

 charm by a wonderful adornment of colour, by 

 glowing plumage, by painted wings, by flowing 

 plumes or handsome crests. These birds do not 

 sing. Throughout the bird world it is exceptional 

 for a fine songster to be decked in brilliant plumage ; 

 all our best singers are clad in sombre or incon- 

 spicuous plumage. Another fact of some interest 

 is the extraordinary variety of song. Few species 

 form their music out of the same combination of 



