1 88 Oi'i^! Bird Fa'iexds. 



During calm siiinmer weather the Reeler, or 

 Cricket bird, as it is called in many parts of the 

 coimtr}^ keeps up its concert all niglit long. In 

 addition to its queer song it is distinguislu'd by 

 being a most accomplished ventriloquist. AN' h list 

 standing with its mouth wide open and its little 

 l)ody quivering from the vibrations going on in its 

 throat, it can pitch its voice hither and thither, 

 near and far, with results the most bewildering to 

 the listener. 



The Corncrake, too, another bird of the night 

 so far as the great bulk of its harsh, rasping notes 

 are concerned, is an excellent ventriloquist, able to 

 throw its voice about in the most deceptive manner, 

 especially whilst it is standing under the >])roading 

 leaves of the coltsfoot plant. 



The Nightjar, as its name inq)lies, is another 

 nocturnal vocalist, with a voice somewhat similar 

 to that of the Grasshopper Warblur. only nnn-li 

 louder. Any boy can imitate it by raising the ti]) 

 of his tongue to the roof of his mouth and then 

 making it vibrate rapidly. The male l)ird has also 

 another curious trilling note, which has been very 

 aptly likened to the noise made by swinging a stout 

 rope rapidly through the air. 



Peewits, or Lapwings, are particularly fond of 

 exercising their vocal organs during quiet spring 

 nights, and the cleverest rendering of their pretty 

 joyous note I have ever heard was invented by 

 John Nudd, a Norfolk marshman, and runs, " Week 



