76 SEDGE-WARBLER ROBINS. 



near each other. When a female arrives, a con- 

 test takes place for her, and when her choice has 

 been made, the rejected bird quits the locality, 

 and resumes its song in some other quarter. In 

 this instance there is evident emulation, as if the 

 loudest and most continuous songster had the best 

 chance of bearing off the prize. During the 

 period of incubation, the song is neither so fre- 

 quent nor so loud as before, and is certainly not an 

 emulative one. We may fancy it the song of 

 satisfaction and happiness, or as intended to cheer 

 the female during the performance of her task, as 

 well as to assure her of the presence of her faithful 

 partner. 



Caged birds may frequently be observed to sing 

 from emulation, and this, I think, is the case 

 with our charming Sedge-warbler. Whoever has 

 passed along the river Thames on some silvery 

 moon-lit night in summer, will have observed 

 that the least noise has caused these warblers to 

 pour forth their song on some of the little aits, 

 each endeavouring to exceed the other in the 

 loudness and continuity of it. A stone thrown 

 amongst the willows, or the sudden splash of the 

 oar near the ait, instantly causes them to sing 

 with renewed energy. In the autumn, I have fre- 

 quently observed two Robins singing like jealous 

 rivals near each other, and then suddenly begin a 

 fight, which often ends in the death of one of them. 



