166 BIRDS OF THE COUNTRYSIDE 



song what Burbidge, Garrick and Mrs. Siddons are to 

 the rustic mime capering about in a country manor 

 house with a bear's head over his own. 



I may at any rate add to Montague's description of 

 the vocal accomplishments of the jay " the bark and 

 whine of a Dog," and remember it for an antiquarian 

 curiosity when those " imperfectly acquainted with the 

 ways of Nature," as that good scholar of nature, 

 Professor Newton, says, have won their gallant war 

 and brought the last effervescent jay in his cobalt blue, 

 cinnamon, jetty black and snow white livery down 

 dead at their feet. 



Returning home I heard the sound that to me is the 

 most sovereign of all the repertory of our larger 

 English birds the inexpressibly joyous, clear, wild, 

 free and intense laugh of the yaffle. Upon a memory 

 so bright and void of care it is well to close. 



