HISTORY OF BRITISH BIRDS 81 



remarked, "the unmistakable expression of the 

 veriest and most complacent satisfaction." 



Indeed, it may be said that the notes of all birds 

 had an extraordinary fascination for their lifelong 

 friend and benefactor. These he is ever careful to 

 speak of in his history of them. Even the " curious 

 creaking cry of the Corn-Crake," as he expresses it, 

 had a delight for his ears ; and of the weird cry of 

 the Golden Plover he thus writes : 



"The wild wail of the Plover's whistling note is 

 exceedingly pleasant to those who have a relish for 

 country sounds, and who find an additional piquancy 

 in those that are-more wild. He that can say, ' My 

 mind to me a kingdom is,' is in no danger of being 

 made melancholy by any sound in nature. In the 

 evening and at night you may hear it. It has at 

 times a ventriloquistic power, and is very deceptive." 

 I would fain quote more on this head, but must 

 pass on. 



Certainly one of the most striking features of the 

 " History of British Birds" is the pleasing variety of 

 treatment of the subject-matter with which it deals. 

 It is no hard, dry, and scientifically formal treatise. 

 The volumes are full of life, and contain, besides 

 a mass of information on the nature and habits of 

 birds, not a little of human nature also. It was 

 this that gave the book from the first a charm 

 peculiarly its own, and added greatly to its popu- 

 larity. Those who took it up found it pleasant 

 reading. Up and down the pages, amid a mass of 

 bird-lore, may be found many tasteful and poetical 



