152 MORNING AND EVENING SONG. 



The first morning song of the Blackbird is very singular, 

 and altogether different from that of the evening; con- 

 sisting of repetitions of the same unusual strains, per- 

 formed with a harsh, screaming voice. It continues for a 

 quarter of an hour or more, and is not again heard until 

 towards sunrise, when it is renewed in a bolder, louder, 

 and more joyous strain. In cold and cloudy weather this 

 twilight strain is seldom heard, for then the bird waits 

 until it is full day before it commences its song. Although 

 the Blackbird sings at all times of the day, it is more 

 especially in the mornings and evenings that it pours forth 

 its delightful melodies, which, simple as they are, I am 

 unable to describe in a more effective manner than by 

 characterising them as loud, rich, mellow, and much sur- 

 passing in effect those of any other native bird, except the 

 Nightingale. It is not in the wild valley, flanked with 

 birchen slopes, and stretching far away among the craggy 

 hills, that the music of the Blackbird floats upon the 

 evening breeze. There you may listen delighted to the 

 gentle song of the Mavis ; but here, in this plain, covered 

 with corn-fields, and skirted with gardens, sit thee down 

 on the green turf by the gliding brook, and mark the little 

 black speck, stuck as it were upon the top twig of that tall 

 poplar. It is a Blackbird ; for now the sweet strain, loud, 

 but mellowed by distance, comes upon the ear, inspiring 

 pleasant thoughts, and banishing care and sorrow. The 

 bird has evidently learned his part by long practice, for 

 he sits sedately and in full consciousness of superiority. 

 Ceasing at intervals, he renews the strain, varying so that, 

 although you can trace an occasional repetition of notes, 

 the staves are never precisely the same. You may sit an 

 hour or longer, and yet the song will be continued, and, 

 in the neighbouring gardens, many rival songsters will 

 sometimes raise their voices at once, or delight you with 

 alternate strains. And now what is the purpose of all this 

 melody ? We can only conjecture that it is the expression 

 of the perfect happiness which the creature is enjoying, 

 when, uncarked by care, conscious of security, and aware 

 of the presence of his mate, he instinctively pours forth his 

 soul in joy, and gratitude, and love. He does not sing to 



