138 BRITISH LAND BIRDS. 



make their nests."* The Psalmist was an accurate 

 observer. It is, undoubtedly, in the season of 

 reproduction, when the birds are busy with their 

 nests and young broods that their melodious songs 

 are heard, " amid the branches ;" then it is that, 



" Our isle is full of pleasant noises, 

 Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight." 



About ten weeks have been mentioned as the 

 period during which most of our wild birds sing. 

 Few spots ar^ more musical with song-birds than 

 these islands. Not, indeed, that the woods of 

 America are mute ; but they have not the varied 

 brilliancy of our choristers. 



It is among the perching birds that our songsters 

 abound ; and they, too, excel in the beautiful struc- 

 ture of their nests. Great as is the skill of insects 

 in architecture, it attains, if possible, a higher 

 degree of perfection in birds, the great majority 

 of which build the most artistical nests, selecting 

 situations according to their habits, either on 

 the ground, in shrubs, or trees, or on rocks and 

 buildings. It is a received opinion with many, 

 that the more perfect the nature of the bird the 

 higher from the ground is the nest constructed ; 

 but this rule will certainly not. apply to the 

 powers of melody ; since the nightingale and 

 the lark build either on, or near to, the ground. 



Psa. civ. 



