CHAPTER V. 



THE BIRDS OF SONG. 



T F there is one class of birds more than another to 

 which poets in all ages have been indebted for 

 inspiration, and to which they have directed particular 

 attention, it is that which includes the birds of song. 

 Shakespeare, as a naturalist, could not have overlooked 

 them. Nor has he done so. These " light-wing'd Dryads 

 of the trees " have received at his hands all the praise 

 which they deserve, while oftentimes, for melody and 

 pathos, he may be said to have borrowed from their 

 songs himself. 



Of all the singers in the woodland choir the Nightingale 

 (Luscinia pJtilomcla), by common consent, stands first. For 

 quality of voice, variety of notes, and execution, she is pro- 

 bably unrivalled. Hence, with poets, she has ever been the 

 chief favourite. Izaak Walton has truly said, " The nightin- 

 gale breathes such sweet loud music out of her little in- 

 strumental throat, that it might make mankind to think 



