MUSIC OF THE STREAMS 185 



there was another very musical waterfall, which 

 rippled this : 



and so on. The lower notes were the fullest toned. 

 A third had the following : 



There are vast numbers of rivulets always uttering 

 sweeter and simpler sounds than these ; and through- 

 out the long year, as through the geological epochs 

 that have been, this varying but ceaseless music is 

 continued. Musical ripples are most frequent where 

 a stream runs under bushes, because in such a spot 

 twigs and leaves fall into the water, causing little 

 barriers over which it must mount and tumble on its 

 way to the sea. Many of the warbling birds, such 

 as the blackcap, wren, robin, blackbird, thrush, and 

 willow-warbler, like to build their nests not far from 

 water, possibly because damp spots generally furnish 

 the most perpetual supply of insect food ; and in 

 these situations they are often within hearing of 



