Notes, 259 



were all singing at about the same pitch and in much the same 

 manner. 



There are many other interesting points connected with 

 birds' songs, e.g. the mechanism of the music ; the song as a 

 language; the entire absence of song in many birds, some of 

 which, as the Crow, are among the most highly developed and 

 intelligent ; and the causes which operate in inducing song. It 

 would be well if some well-qualified naturalist would investigate 

 some of these points with greater attention than they have yet 

 received. It would be hardly possible to find a subject of 

 greater interest to the public, as well as to the savant. 



NOTE C. Fables of the Kingfisher, (p. 242.) 



It may be worth while to suggest a possible explanation of 

 the origin of the two curious and beautiful fables about this 

 bird mentioned by Aristotle and Pliny, and current in antiquity. 

 The first of these was, that for seven days before and seven 

 days after the shortest winter day, the sea remained calm ; 

 during the first seven (says Aristotle) the bird builds her nest, 

 and in the latter seven occupies herself with eggs and young. 

 The second myth concerned the nest itself: "it is in shape like 

 a cucumber, and larger than the largest sponge ; the mouth is 

 small so small that the sea, as it rises, does not get inside it. 

 It has, however, a great variety of holes, like a sponge, and 

 appears to be made of the bones of a fish ! " This last par- 

 ticular is curious, as we know it to be true of the Kingfisher's 

 nest ; and it has led Prof. Sundevall to believe that Aristotle 

 must have received some authentic report of the real nest, and 

 have mixed it up with the mythical account. But his whole 

 account shows plainly that he imagined the nest to be built on 

 the rocks by the seashore, and perhaps even within reach of 

 the waves. 



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