78 OUE NATIVE SONGSTERS. 



stantly practising the gamut like a true musician, 

 yet it never an*ives at greater musical perfection ; 

 and its notes, though soft and melodious, are not 

 sufficiently diversified to merit the name of song." 



This is a common bird in slirubberies and 

 hedgerows in all parts of Britain, except in tlie 

 counties of Cornwall and Devonshire. Some- 

 times its song is to be heard as it wings its way 

 among the trees from bough to bough ; at others 

 it is sung while the little bird is perched on the 

 summit of some high tree, or sits among the 

 yellow furze or broom of our lieath lands. A 

 merry bird it seems, — all life and animation, 

 hopping over the ground in search of insects, or 

 catching them on the wing, and passing by the 

 garden fruits with indifference, save where they 

 serve as an attraction to insects, and thus afford 

 a meal. When in captivity, this bird soon be- 

 comes familiar, and sings long and loud ; and it 

 has been known to enter the open windows of 

 houses, and to tly about the room for some time, 

 occasionally uttering a little shaqi note. The 

 willow wren quits us in September, and sings a 

 little in autumn, but not with the vigour or joy 

 of spring. 



