SINGING BIRDS. 103 



, , /Sometimes from bush 



Blackbird, Merula. j to bush. 



C Uses, when singing on 

 White-throat, Ficedulce affinis. < the wing, odd jerks 



1^ and gesticulations. 

 Swallow, Hirundo domestica. In soft sunny weather. 



f Sometimes from bush 

 Wren, Passer troglodytes. | tQ bush> 



Birds that breed most early in these parts : 



(Hatches in February 



\ and March. 



Song-thrush, Turdus. In March. 



Blackbird, Merula. In March. 



/. ., T Builds the beginning 



Rook, Comix frugilega. j ofMarch . 



Woodlark, Alauda arbor ea. Hatches in April. 



f Lays the beginning of 

 Ringdove, Palumbus torquatus. -j ^ . j 



All hirds that continue in full song till after mid- 

 summer, appear to me to breed more than once. 



Most kinds of birds seem to me to be wild and shy, 

 somewhat in proportion to their bulk ; I mean in this 

 island, where they are much pursued and annoyed ; 

 but in Ascension Island, and many other desolate 

 places, mariners have found fowls so unacquainted 

 with a human figure, that they would stand still to 

 be taken, as is the case with boobies, &c. As an 

 example of what is advanced, I remark that the gold- 

 en-crested wren, (the smallest British bird,) will 

 stand unconcerned till you come within three or four 

 yards of it, while the bustard, (otis,) the largest 

 British land fowl, does not care to admit a person 

 within so many furlongs. 



