Downs and Dungeons 109 



like the song of the Tree-pipit who lived at 

 the foot of the Downs, but it's far louder." 



" Naturally," said the Canary. " I have no 

 acquaintance with Tree-pipits, but I presume 

 they have not birth and education, But go on 

 about the Downs ; perhaps if you were to talk 

 about them you might find your voice. I 

 should like to hear you sing ; I might give you 

 some hints ; and if we are to be neighbours, I 

 should wish you to acquit yourself properly 

 here you really are not fit to be seen in such 

 a street as this, but if you could sing our 

 people might think better of you. Now go on, 

 and when I want to sing I'll tell you to stop 

 for a bit." 



This was really very kind and condescending 

 of the high-born Canary, and so the Linnet 

 felt it : and sitting a little more upright on 

 his perch, he began. " I was born on those 

 Downs nearly three years ago. The first thing 

 I can remember is the lining of our nest, which 

 was so soft that I have never felt anything like it 

 since, except the thistledown from which we 

 used to get the seed when we were on our 



