196 OUR IRISH SONG BIRDS. 



The Cormorant is the "basso" of his tribe, with his trombone 

 notes. 



The Kentish Goldfinches, the Essex Chaffinches, and the Surrey 

 Nightingales are generally preferred. 



No Irish Owls hoot ; the Tawny Owl may often be heard in 

 Wales, with his " Ho-ho-ho-ho-o-o," the third " Ho" pronounced 

 in a tremulous tone. 



The Nightingale is the easiest bird to catch, and the hardest to 

 keep alive. 



The Chaffinch sang his full song, January 28, 1886 an unusually 

 early date. 



Young birds in most cases attempt to sing shortly after they 

 leave the nest. 



The speed of the Swift has been estimated at more than 150 

 miles per hour ; that of the Swallow at more than 100 ; the Homing 

 Pigeon rarely attains a speed of more than forty miles for any 

 considerable distance. 



A Swift could fly to Africa from Ireland in about seven hours ; a 

 Swallow would take ten or twelve probably. 



The Corncrake, or Land Rail, is a migratory bird. A specimen 

 has occurred in the Bermudas, 600 miles from the American 

 coast. 



The Fire-crested Wren is not found in Ireland. 



The Cuckoo's mate " is the Wryneck, a bird only six times taken 

 in Ireland. 



It is said that most birds utter a double note when the nest is 

 near. (Blyth.) 



It is said that the Dipper can walk along the bottom of shallow 

 streams. 



Migratory birds usually cross from Africa to Europe during a 

 Levanter. June is the only month in which no birds are crossing 

 the Straits of Gibraltar. (See Harting's Summer Migrants.) 



The Seagulls on the Yorkshire coast are often called the 

 " Flamborough Pilots," as their cries warn sailors of the near 

 approach to land in a fog or snow-storm. 



