80 KRIDER'S SPORTING ANECDOTES. 



the preluding of a song ; this dies away in the 

 air over head, and in an instant after is suc- 

 ceeded by a loud, distinct melody, so earnestly 

 emitted, and of such rapid continuance, as to 

 resemble the musical gushing of water, or the 

 reedy notes of a sylvan pipe, in which some 

 wayward urchin is blowing. It is, however, the 

 strains from a feathered songster's throat, and 

 becomes more clear and sweet the lower it 

 hovers in the air around ; until ceasing abruptly 

 it is followed by the usual "pa-a-ck" uttered in 

 a much lower key than before, and with a half 

 choking but curious emphasis, as if addressed 

 in appeal to some object near. 



If you choose to remain at your post for an 

 hour or more, you may hear the serenade con- 

 tinued in this way with but little remission, and 

 even see the bird on the ground within a few 

 feet of you, its tail-feathers erected, and body 

 stiffly set on its legs, as with a ludicrous and 

 inimitable appearance of conceit it jerks out the 

 strange finale to its song. 



The old man assures you, on returning to the 

 house, that the hen is close by, and that the eve- 

 ning performance, which appears so unique and 

 interesting to you, is literally an old song with 

 him. 



