SINGING BIRDS. 



141 



Titlark, 



Woodlark, 

 Blackbird, 



White-throat, 



Swallow, 

 Wren, 



Alauda prat orum. 



Alauda arborea. 

 Merula. 



Ficedula affinis. 



Hirundo domestica. 

 Passer troglodytes. 



In its descent ; also 

 sitting on trees, and 

 walking on the 

 ground. 



( Suspended ; in hot 

 < summer nights all 

 (^ night long. 

 (Sometimes from bush 

 \ to bush. 



Uses when singing on 

 the wing odd jerks 

 and gesticulations. 

 In soft sunny weather, 

 f Sometimes from bush 

 \ to bush. 



I 



Birds that breed most early in these parts : 



f Hatches in February 

 \ and March. 



In March. 



In March. 



{Builds the beginning 

 of March. 

 Hatches in April. 

 f Lays the beginning of 

 \ April. 



All birds that continue in full song till after , 

 Midsummer appear to me to breed more than 

 once. 



Most kind of birds seem to me to be wild and 

 shy somewhat in proportion to their bulk ; I mean 

 in this island, where they are much pursued and 

 annoyed; but in Ascension Island, and many 

 other desolate places, mariners have found fowls 

 so unacquainted with a human figure, that they 

 would stand still to be taken, as is the case with 

 boobies, c. As an example of what is advanced, 

 I remark that the golden- crested wren, (the 

 smallest British bird,) will stand unconcerned till 

 you come within three or four yards of it ; while 



