24 Mr. J. Black wall's Observaliovs on the Notes of Birds, 



A Catalogue of Singing Birds, heard in the Neighbourhood of 

 Manchester ; ivith the Periods at xohich theij commence and 

 discontinue their Songs, taken at a mean of Jive Years' Obser- 

 vations, 



Birds 



1. 



2. 



3. 



4. 



5. 



6. 



7. 



8. 



9. 

 10. 

 11. 

 12. 

 13. 

 U. 

 15. 

 16. 

 17. 

 18. 

 19. 

 20. 

 21. 

 22. 

 23. 

 2-t. 

 25. 



Redbreast, MotaciUa rubicida .... 

 Wren, MotaciUa troglodytes* .... 

 Missel Thrush, Turdus viscivorusf . 



Throstle, Turdus musicus 



Skylark, Alaiula arvensis 



Hedo-e Warbler, MotaciUa modularis 



Chaffinch, Fringilla ccelebs 



Starling, Sturnus vulgaris 



Blackbird, Turdus merula 



Green Grosbeak, Loxia chloris . . . 



Titlark, Alauda prate7isis 



Lesser Redpole, Fringilla linaria . 



Woodlark, Alauda arborea 



Goldfinch, Fringilla cardiielis .... 

 Redstart, MotaciUa pnoenicwus . . . 

 Willow Wren, MotaciUa trochilus . 



Linnet, FringiUa linota 



Lesser Fieldlark, Alauda mifwr . . . 



Swallow, Hirundo rustica 



Stonechat, MotaciUa rubicula .... 

 Whinchat, MotaciUa rubetra .... 

 Black-cap, MotacilUt atricapilla . . 

 White-throat, MotaciUa si/lvia . . . 

 Pettychaps, MotaciUa hortensis . . . 

 Sedge Warbler, MotaciUa salicaria% 



Commence 

 Singing. 



Jan. 3 

 do. 13 

 Feb. 1 

 do. 8 

 do. 9 

 do. 9 

 do. 10 

 do. 15 

 Mar.20 

 do. 24 

 April 4 

 do. 5 

 do. 



do. 11 

 do. 14 

 do. 14 

 do. 15 

 do. 17 

 do. 19 

 do. 24 

 do. 25 

 do. 25 

 do. 29 

 May 12 

 do. 17 



Cease 

 Singing. 



Dec. J 4 

 do. 3 



May 28 



Aug. 12 



July 8 



do. 19 



do. 7 



Mav 30 



July 13 



Aug. 12 



July 9 



Aug. 5 



Oct. 25 



June 



do. 29 



Aug. 23 



July 6 



do. 8 



Sep. 25 



June 



July 1 



do. 22 



do. 16 



do. 11 



do. 16 



It would be difficult, nay impossible, to convey a distinct 

 idea of the songs of these birds by any verbal descrijition : in- 

 deed, the delightful associations they excite, with the adventi- 

 tious circumstances of time, distance, situation, &c., so greatly 



♦ The redbreast and wren sing at all times of the year, except during 

 severe frost ; and several species of birds that cease singing about the latter 

 end of July, or the beginning of August, are sometimes heard again in 

 autunm, when their songs are generally feeble, imperfect, and of short con- 

 tinuance, like the early efforts of our warblers in spring. 



t The missel thrush is the largest British bird of song. 



t In this catalogue I have omitted the yellow-bunting, reed-bunting, 

 oolden-crested wren"", yellow willow wren, and some others, that have not 

 uniformly been accounted singing birds. 



infiueiice 



