THE FULL CHORUS 



IOI 



expanded so as to display the conspicuous white patch 

 beneath their tips, and pouring forth a curious medley of 

 repeated phrases with a voice like a weak and imperfect 

 song-thrush's. The cries of the chaffinch and partridge 

 and the low twitter of the lark are among the notes which 

 can be heard in their song ; and there are many other 

 resemblances, some of which are probably imitations, though 

 others may be merely due to accident or kinship. The 

 wheatear is a near relative of the thrush, and its general 

 method of song is much like that of the song-thrush. Both 

 birds have a varied repertory, but 

 like to repeat a passage several times 

 before passing on to another. The 

 wheatear knows the greater number 

 of phrases, though the thrush is a 

 stronger and more brilliant singer. 



In fine May weather very few 

 hours of the day and night are 

 quite songless. The last nightingale 

 usually falls silent a little after 



midnight ; the corncrake has been quiet a little time 

 before. Then there is a little interval of peace, before 

 the earliest stirring of the new day. In open places the 

 skylark is the first bird to sing ; it rises and pours down its 

 song from a sky scarcely grey with dawn. In gardens the 

 blackbird sings one slow, clear strain, and is quiet again. 

 Then, just before sunrise, when there is light enough to 

 see the dew on the leaves, all the birds break out in one 

 tremendous chorus, so that in a bird-haunted place one voice 

 can hardly be distinguished from another. The intense 

 cooing of the wood-pigeon and turtle-dove throb through the 

 din of higher notes with a curious distinctness. This great 

 outburst lasts for less than half an hour, and is succeeded by 



