68 OUR IRISH SONG BIRDS. 



song." He also says : " The Sedge Bird sings most 

 part of the night, and when it happens to be silent, a 

 stone or clod thrown into the bushes where it sits will 

 immediately set it a-singing, or, in other words, though it 

 slumbers sometimes, yet as soon as it is awakened it 

 reassumes its song." The strict truth of these remarks 

 anyone can investigate for himself. I have often put 

 them to the proof. The bird is indeed very bold, 

 and when disturbed, instead of hiding in silence, or 

 hurrying to escape, as other birds do, seems to turn 

 round and soundly rate the invader. 



The term "Irish Nightingale" is frequently given to 

 the Sedge Warbler ; save, however, that it sings in the 

 night, its notes bear no resemblance to those of the 

 Philomel ; at the same time, they are often pleasing, 

 although they always seem to me to have a reedy 

 flavour. Mr. Sweet gives the song proper as "chit, 

 chit, chiddy, chiddy, chit, chit, chit ; " it is, however, 

 often interspersed with some melodious notes borrowed 

 from the songs of other birds, the performer recurring 

 every moment to his own, which is, no doubt, much 

 superior in his estimation. 



I was told a good many years ago that the Nightin- 

 gale had been heard singing not far from the Mageough 

 Home, Palmerston Road, Rathmines, and that it could 

 usually be heard at about n p.m. With two young 

 friends, I accordingly hastened to the trysting-place on 

 the very next night, and there waited in anxious silence 

 for the expected song. It came at last, the well- 

 known reedy effusion of the " Irish Nightingale," the 

 indefatigable and ever wakeful Sedge Warbler. 



If, however, the bird is unduly exalted by this 



