26 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



from the comparative silence of the feathered choir 

 at this early period of the year. 



Many naturalists who have paid particular 

 attention to the song of the Thrush have insisted 

 upon its taking equal rank as a songster with the 

 more favoured Nightingale, and untutored ears not 

 unfrequently mistake the one for the other. Cer- 

 tainly the notes of this bird, although not so varied, 

 nor so liquid, so to say, as those of Philomel, are 

 yet of a clear rich tone, and have something in- 

 describably sweet about them. 



" Listen," says Macgillivray, " to the clear loud 

 notes of that speckled warbler, that in the softened 

 sunshine pours forth his wild melodies on the glad- 

 dened ear. Listen and think how should you de- 

 scribe the strain so as to impress its characters on 

 the mind of one who never heard it. Perhaps 

 you might say that it consists of a succession of 

 notes greatly diversified, repeated at short intervals 

 with variations, and protracted for a long time ; that 

 it is loud, clear, and mellow, generally sprightly, 

 but at times tender and melting. Listen again, and 

 say what does it resemble ? 



