BLACKBIRD LEARNING TO SING . 81 



through the meadows with a friend. Its song 

 resembles that of the Tree-Pipit, and is usually 

 given forth while on the wing. 



In their habits Pipits very much resemble 

 Wagtails. While running along the ground their 

 movements are very similar ; and they have also 

 a habit of wagging their tail up and down ; their 

 flight also is very much like that of the Wagtail's 

 The Meadow- Pipit seems very fond of wet or 

 marshy ground ; and, during the winter months, 

 they may be seen in numbers feeding in meadows 

 that are partially under water. Where many are 

 together they fight after the manner of Starlings. 



While passing a heap of faggots one day, I 

 heard some most comical noises proceeding from 

 the interior, and, quietly approaching, and peering 

 in among the sticks to see what was the cause, I 

 saw a young cock Blackbird making most laudable 

 efforts to sing ! He kept on widely opening his 

 little beak, while holding his head up, and it was 

 just possible to recognise some slight resemblance 

 to the Blackbird's song, otherwise, it was not 

 unlike the noise produced by the wheels of a cart 

 when short of oil. V 



When the young bird saw me it suddenly 

 stopped in the middle of an extraordinary note, 

 and hopped away this infant singer could not 



7 



