148 OUR NATR'E SONGSTERS. 



swell of yaried expression. One passage often 

 occurs, as truly enunciated as if performed on an 

 octave flute. The style and key of the song are 

 nearly the same in all individuals^ though some 

 may be noticed to vary in style. I knew one bird 

 that frequented the same spots of a wood for three 

 summers, who signalised himself by an arrange- 

 ment of notes very much excelling his brethren 

 around. The blackcap is certainly the finest 

 singer of the Avhole tribe of warblers, except the 

 nightingale." 



Nor is the author peculiar in his opinion of this 

 value of the song ; few well acquainted with the 

 notes of our woods would differ from him. Though 

 it has less volume and richness than that of the bird 

 of night, yet it is more gay and sprightly, and, as 

 Bechstein remarks, is more easy and flute-like in its 

 tones than the strain of the nightingale ; nor are 

 there wanting some good judges of the singing of 

 birds, who prefer the song of theblackcaj) to that of 

 any other of our British woods. The niglit singing 

 for whicli our Philomel is so remarkable, is not con- 

 fined to it alone. The blackcap has a tune too for 

 him whose course may lie through the country 

 Avhen night has far advanced, while the sedge-bird 



