224 EVOLUTION OF BIRD-SONG 



Mimicry of the Stonechat 



This bird also mimics, but not so well as many- 

 other birds. Its song is weak, and its phrases are 

 not longer than those of the redstart. I have heard 

 it many times reproduce nearly the whole of the 

 song of the yellow bunting, also the song of the 

 common bunting, and part of that of the chaffinch. 

 I have only heard a very few of these birds sing. 



Mimicry of the Blackbird 



The blackbird is about as good a mimic as the 

 blackcap. An observer must be fairly close to either 

 of these birds in order to make out its imitations ; 

 for these, in either species, are rarely uttered in the 

 full tones of the ordinary songs. The blackbird has 

 been known to crow like a cock, and flap his wings 

 at the same time. I have heard a blackbird at 

 Tortworth, Glos., imitate repeatedly the cry which 

 I am informed is that of the golden plover. I have 

 also heard these birds reproduce cries of the green- 

 finch, blackcap, wood - warbler, nuthatch, peewit, 

 swallow, great tit, green woodpecker, goldfinch, and 

 magpie. Mr. F. A. Chambers, of The Elms, Stroud, 

 informs me that when staying with friends at a 



