THE REDBREAST. 187 



more joyous too, in its expression, than in the 

 more plaintive pipings of autumn, or the more 

 abrupt strains of the inclement season. In sum- 

 mer time that song is heard at earliest dawn, but 

 it is never sung after evening twilight, although 

 the redbreast may be seen fluttering among those 

 of our birds which are latest in seeking repose. 

 A welcome song it is after some days of summer 

 rain and showers, for if uttered in the evening its 

 sprightly notes give full promise that to-morrow 

 will be finer than to-day, as robin with his quick 

 sensibilities knows that the sunshine is coming. 

 From our hearing the robin comparatively little 

 when its song is best, its vocal powers are not 

 often duly estimated. A good observer, writing in 

 the ^lagazine of Natural History, thus remarks : 

 — " I have frequently heard this bird sing in a 

 manner to do honour to its connexion with the 

 nightingale, when it has been disputed whether or 

 not it could be the robin. I would at any time 

 silence tlie finished song of the chafiinch, in three 

 distinct parts, to listen to the note of my warm- 

 hearted friend, Kobin. I doubt even if there be 

 any bird I w^ould prefer but the nightingale itself: 

 I hesitate as to the blackcap." When the bird 

 is suddenly alarmed it utters a kind of chirp, or 



