IV 



BIEDS AND THE AETS 



ILLUSTEATED IN THEIE MUSIC, DANCING, 

 PAINTING, AECHITECTUEE, DEAMA, 



AND FLIGHT, TOGETHEE 

 WITH SOME CEITICAL APPEECIATIONS 



THE SONG OF THE EED THKUSH 



I ENCLOSE a cutting from the Spectator dated January 18, 

 which reached me in the wilds of Africa some six weeks 

 ago. As you will perceive, it is part of your review of 

 Mr. Alexander's book, " From the Niger to the Nile." 

 I, too, lay claim to have heard music such as he so ably 

 describes, but in a far different place, viz., in the desolate 

 sudd swamps to the west and south of Lake No. I was 

 unprepared to hear anything so beautiful in such a spot, 

 and I have no idea what produced what I have heard, 

 for I have met this music nowhere since. There were 

 no trees, there was apparently no dry land : only river, 

 and pools, and swamp, and tangled grasses for some 

 dozens of miles. I leave it to those more learned than 

 myself to discover whether the music was produced by 

 birds, fish, or insects ; but this I know, that the songsters 

 commenced shortly after dark, and continued with an 

 ever-increasing volume unto dawn " as beautiful as the 

 nightingale, notes from a hidden Paradise." I am in- 

 debted to Mr. Edwards, engineer of one of the Nile gun- 

 boats, for warning me of this free musical festival. For 

 those lovers of music like the writer who are desirous to 

 hear for themselves I will give the two following hints : 



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