208 



OUR NATRT. SONGSTERS. 



which an occasional straggler reaches our island. 

 Few instances only are recorded of its visits here ; 

 though during summer it is diflfuscd over a great 

 part of the continent. Its song is described as 

 very pleasing, commencing with the dawn of day, 

 and continued at evening, long after most singnig 

 birds have gone to rest. It is abundant in the 

 South of France, especially in Alsace and Lor- 

 raine. In the latter country it is esteemed a great 

 delicacy, and large numbers of these sweet little 

 songsters are taken f^r th<^ table. 



