86 OUR FAVOURITE SONG BIRDS 



for some time to the well-known musical cry of the 

 Terek Sandpiper, ^irr-r-r-w/iuz, blended with the 

 songs of scores of other birds, on approaching we 

 saw our little friend perched high in a willow-bush, 

 with throat distended, bill rapidly vibrating, and 

 uttering the tirr-r-r-zuhui with perfect distinctness. 

 We have heard the Blue-throated Warbler also 

 imitate, amongst other bird-voices, the trilling first 

 notes of the Wood Sandpiper, or the full rich song 

 of the Redwing. Sometimes he runs these together 

 in such a way as to form a perfect medley of bird- 

 music, defying one who is not watching to say 

 whether or not the whole bird-population of that 

 part of the forest are equally engaged in the concert 

 at the same time." Other fine singers are the Rock 

 Thrushes, birds which appear to be intermediate 

 between the Chats and the Thrushes. By some 

 authorities the Rock Thrush i^Monticola saxatilis) is 

 declared to be the finest songster in Europe. It is 

 certainly in very high request as a cage-bird, and it 

 is said that birds of exceptional vocal merit command 

 very high prices. The song is perhaps louder than 

 that of the Blackcap, and combines the rich flute- 

 like tones of the Blackbird with the pleasing variety 

 of that of the Song Thrush. The Blue Rock 

 Thrush (JMonticola cyanea) is an equally fascinating 

 songster. Its wild, rich, varied song sounds par- 

 ticularly beautiful on the stony mountain-sides, and 

 is certainly one of the things that help the most 



