CHAP. vii. THE SONGSTERS AT NIGHT. 127 



redoubled vehemence and energy. I found the 

 rookery in the evening in the wildest uproar, and I 

 left it in the morning in the same uproarious condi- 

 tion. I took good care never to make my bed so 

 near a rookery again. Still, in all justice, I must 

 give the rook the very first and highest character for 

 attention to its young. It is first out; in the morning 

 to search for food, and the last to provide for its 

 family at night. The starling is very dutiful in that 

 way ; but the rook beats him hollow." 



" As a rule," says Edward, " so far as I have been 

 able to observe, the Skylark is the first songster in the 

 morning, and the Corn-bunting the last at night. It 

 was no uncommon thing to hear the lark carolling his 

 early, hymn of praise high up in the heavens, before 

 there was any appearance of light, or before I thought 

 of rising to recommence rny labours. Nor was it 

 unusual to hear the bunting stringing together his 

 few and humble notes into an evening song long 

 after sunset, and after I had been compelled to suc- 

 cumb from want of light to pursue my researches. 

 So far as I can remember, I do not think that I have 

 heard the Skylark sing after sundown. 



" Amongst the sylvan choristers, the Blackbird is 

 the foremost in wakening the grove to melody, and he 

 is also among the latest to retire at night. As soon 

 as the first streaks of grey begin to tinge the sky, 

 and break in through the branches amidst which 

 he nestles, the Blackbird is up, and from the topmost 



