30 BIRDS AND MAN 



tinct, and as an example will give the two melodi- 

 ous families of the finches and thetroupials(Icteridae), 

 the last an American family, related to the finches, 

 but starling-like in appearance, many of them 

 brilliantly coloured. Of the first I am acquainted 

 with 12 and of the second with 14 species. 



Here then are 26 highly vocal species, of which 

 the songs, calls, chirps, and various other notes, are 

 distinctly remembered in 23. Of the other three one 

 was silent — a small rare migratory finch resembling 

 the bearded-tit in its reed-loving habits, its long 

 tail and slender shape, and partly too in its colour- 

 ing. I listened in vain for this bird's singing notes. 

 Of the remaining two one is a finch, the other a 

 troupial ; the first a pretty bird, in appearance a 

 small hawfinch with its whole plumage a lovely 

 glaucous blue ; a poor singer with a low rambling 

 song : the second a bird of the size of a starling, 

 coloured like a golden oriole, but more brilliant ; 

 and this one has a short impetuous song composed 

 of mixed guttural and clear notes. 



Why is this rather peculiar song, of a species 

 which on account of its colouring and pleasing social 

 habits strongly impresses the mind, less distinct in 

 memory than the songs of other troupials ? I 

 believe it is because it is a rare thing to hear a single 



