ENGLISH AND AMERICAN SONG-BIRDS 119 



these various sounds, first, because of the sense of 

 altitude his strain had, — its skyward character, — 

 and then because of its loud, aspirated, penetrating, 

 unceasing, jubilant quality. It cut its way to the 

 ear like something exceeding swift, sharp, and 

 copious. It overtook and outran every other sound ; 

 it had an undertone like the humming of multitu- 

 dinous wheels and spindles. Now and then some 

 turn would start and set off a new combination of 

 shriller or of graver notes, but all of the same pre- 

 cipitate, out-rushing and down-pouring character; 

 not, on the whole, a sweet or melodious song, but 

 a strong and blithe one. 



The duke is abundantly justified in saying that 

 we have no bird in this country, at least east of the 

 Mississippi, that can fill the place of the skylark. 

 Our high, wide, bright skies seem his proper field, 

 too. His song is a pure ecstasy, untouched by any 

 plaintiveness, or pride, or mere hilarity, — a well- 

 spring of morning joy and blitheness set high above 

 the fields and downs. Its effect is well suggested 

 in this stanza of Wordsworth : — 



" Up with me! up with me into the clouds! 



For thy song, Lark, is strong; 

 Up with me, up with me into the clouds ! 



Singing, singing, 

 With clouds and sky about thee ringing, 



Lift me, guide me till I find 

 That spot which seems so to thy mind! " 



But judging from Gilbert White's and Barring- 

 ton's lists, I should say that our bird-choir was a 

 larger one, and embraced more good songsters, than 

 the British. 



