894 J A M A I C A. 



338. Singing Birds. 



There are but few of thefe vocal performers natives of the ifland. 

 The chief are the nightingales j of thefe are two fpecies. One is 

 more properly the inock-btrd of North America, and is not fo fre- 

 quent as the other. It is principally feen in all parts of the Health- 

 lliire Hills, and probably delights in this diftrift, bccaufe it is almofl 

 uninhabited by men, or becaufe it finds here greater plenty of its 

 choiceft food. Its plumage is of a light-brown colour, inclining to 

 reddifh, and a few dark feathers in the wings and tail. It is much 

 larger, particularly about the head, than the other fpecies, but equally 

 bold. The other fpecies is the lefler mock-bird of Edwards, t. 78, 

 and is found in mod parts of the ifland, efpecially the low lands. 

 Their note is a compofition of the thrufh, black-bird, and European 

 nightingale ; but it has the ncareft refemblance to the thruOi, and is 

 infinitely fweet, flrong, and various. Every morning and evening 

 they warble their melody, and enliven the rural retirements, anfwer- 

 ing each other with their inchanting echoes, and to fuch a degree of 

 exaftnefs in the key and inflexions, that, although perched at a con- 

 fiderable diftance from tree to tree, it is very often difficult to diftin- 

 guifh between them, except from the more articulate tones of that 

 \vhofe ftation is neareft to the hearer. At certain times of the year 

 they fing during great part of the night, efpecially when it is moon- 

 light. It is not certain, whether they are kept fo wakeful by the 

 clearnefs of the light, or by any extraordinary attention and vigilance, 

 neceflary at fuch times, for the prote(^ion of their nurfery from the 

 piratical alfaults of the owl and night-hawk. It is poffible, that fear 

 may operate upon them, much in the fame manner as it has been 

 obferved to affe6t Ibme cowardly perfons, who whiille ftoutly in a 

 lonefome place, while their mind is agitated with the terror of thieves 

 or hobgoblins. 



When taken young, they may be kept in a cage ; but will not long 

 furvive their captivity, unlcfs they are fed with the hoop- withe berry, 

 and the fmall-bird pepper, mixed together. 



Thefe birds are fcen throughout the fummer in the North American 

 colonics ; but. about autumn, retire to the Souihward, and ftay away 



the whole winter. • ' ■ 



They 



