ON THE NIDIFICATION OF BIRDS. 79 



endt \ have myself often heard it, and in the day-lime. 

 Those who are partial to the singing of birds generally, will 

 find the morning, from four to nine o'elock, the most fa- 

 vourable time for hearing them. 



Although it is, perhaps, true, that the birds of warm 

 climates do not equal those of the temperate ones in the 

 sweetness and riehness of their notes, yet it is a mistake to 

 suppose that there are not many birds of exquisite song 

 abounding in the torrid zone. The Mocking-bird is one of 

 these, and perliaps one of the greatest wonders amongst the 

 birds of the western world : but more of this charming bird 

 hereafter. 



From the abundance of many of the piccB tribe, sucli as 

 Parrots, and some others of harsh note, it is probable that 

 their sounds in the tropical woods often overpower and 

 confound the more soft and sweet modulations of the 

 warbler tribes ; and hence the opinion has obtained credit 

 that the tropical regions are deficient in birds of song. 



The Plumage of the birds of the torrid zone is admitted 

 by every one to be much more splendid than that of the 

 birds of temperate latitudes ; and, it also appears that, as we 

 proceed to still colder regions, the colours of birds become 

 less beautiful and striking, white being there on6 of the 

 most predominant characteristics. 



Of the NiDiFiCATioN OF BiRDS, little more needs to be 

 .said; (see i\\€i Poetical portion of this Introduction;) it is, 

 notwithstanding, worthy of remark, that scarcely two 

 birds, even of the same genus, if of a dilferent species, 

 build their nests Alike, nor in exactly similar sil\iations ; 

 they all seem to have their peculiar predilections in the 

 choice of a site for the important process of incubation. 

 Some prefer lofty trees, and those too, of particular kinds ; 

 some hedges; some shrubs; some dry brakes ; some on the 



