SONGS. 265 



notes are considerably changed ; sometimes their song- 

 is hurried through without the usual grace and ele- 

 gance ; at other times modulated into a soothing 

 melody. The first we conceive to be a provocation 

 to battle on the sight of another male ; the last an 

 amorous cadence, or courting address. This variety 

 of song lasts no longer than till the female is fixed in 

 her choice, which is, in general, in a few days after 

 her arrival; and if the season is favourable, she soon 

 begins the task allotted to her sex. 



" The male now no more exposes himself to sing as 

 before, nor are his songs heard so frequently or so 

 loud ; but while she is searching for a secure place 

 to build her nest in, he is no less assiduous in attend- 

 ing her with ridiculous gestures, accompanied with 

 notes peculiarly soft. When the female has chosen 

 a spot for nidification, the male constantly attends 

 her flight to and from the place, and sits upon some 

 branch near, while his mate instinctively places the 

 small portion of material she each time brings to rear 

 a commodious fabric for her intended brood. When 

 the building Is complete, and she has laid her portion 

 of eggs, incubation immediately takes place. The 

 male is now heard loud again, but not near so fre- 

 quently as at first ; he never rambles from her hear- 

 ing, and seldom from her sight ; if she leaves her 

 nest, he soon perceives it, and pursues her, some- 

 times accompanied with soft notes of love. When 

 the callow brood appears, he is instantly apprized of 

 it, either by instinct, or by the female carrying away 

 the fragment shells to some distant place*. The male 

 is now no more heard in tuneful glee, unless a second 

 brood should force the amorous song again ; his 

 whole attention is now taken up in satisfying the 

 nutrimental calls of his tender infant race, which he 

 does with no less assiduity than his mate, carrying 

 them food, and returning frequently with the muting 



2 A 



