74 



MY LIFE AS A NATURALIST 



my left, and a Greater Whitethroat danced his love-flight in mid- 

 air, accompanied by his impetuous song, as if to attract atten- 

 tion. The Cuckoo seemed to act the part of vocal conductor 

 of this bird orchestra, his two (and sometimes three) mellow 

 notes keeping time, as it were, with the more brilliant efforts of 

 its fellows Larks in the meadow adjoining were singing at their 

 best, the mournful ditty of a screaming Lapwing contrasted 

 strangely with the sweeter renderings close at hand, and the 



FIG. 35. SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. 



shrill song of a sprightly Chaffinch, with its pleasing cadenza, 

 added a touch of musical gaiety to the glad morning air. In 

 the deep recesses of a tangled thorn a Nightingale poured forth 

 rich music from its instrumental throat, and a gay-clad Eobin, 

 not to be outdone by the Summer visitor, went one better than 

 when his Autumn dirge is uttered almost alone, and gave of his 

 super-song. " Chip, chop Chip, chop," sounded as a delicate 

 bugle-call from the tree-tops, telling me that the Chiff Chaff was 

 there, and a Spotted Flycatcher, perhaps inspired by the wondrous 

 melody of the morn, attempted a curious contribution such as 

 I have never heard before. Although not a song bird, the in- 

 cident pleased me so much that I have included a picture of this 

 species by way of memento (Fig. 35). 



