306 Observations on the 
Kensington, which, from a want of other 
sounds to imitate, almost articulated the words 
‘pretty boy,’ as well as some other short sen- 
tences;” and the owner assured him, that it 
had neither the note nor cail of any bird 
whatsoever. ‘The goldfinch had acquired the 
song of the wren, without appearing to have 
a note or even the call of the goldfinch. 
From these experiments and observations, 
of which I have given a concise, but I trust 
impartial account, Mr. Barrington was led 
to conclude, that “notes im birds are no 
more innate than language is in man, but 
depend entirely upon the master under which 
they are bred, as far as their organs will en- 
able them to imitate the sounds which they 
have frequent opportunities of hearing.” I 
am not aware, however, that he has brought 
forward a single fact, from which such an 
inference can be fairly deduced. ‘Phe main 
tendency of his researches is merely to prove 
(what was before perfectly well known) that 
some birds have very extraordinary powers 
of imitation, and may be taught, when young, 
to sing the notes of other species, whistle 
tunes, or even pronounce a few words. If 
his remarks on this subject contain any no- 
velty, itis, that birds so educated sometimes 
remain satisfied with these imitations, never 
