Voices of the Night 



Migrating birds may frequently be heard calling to 

 each other as they pass over London and other large 

 towns during autumn nights. The notes of the redwing 

 are perhaps more often heard than those of any other 

 species in these circumstances. 



Of all the voices of the night I consider the pro- 

 longed double whistle of the widgeon the most unfor- 

 gettable. Whether it be uttered in the duck's winter 

 quarters in the south, or by the waters of a Highland 

 loch, where the bird has a mate sitting in the heather, 

 it is equally arresting. The first part of the note con- 

 sists of a long loud whistle, and the second, which 

 follows instantly, of a short low one. It has not inaptly 

 been likened to the syllables " mee-yu." 



Many birds will utter their alarm notes when dis- 

 turbed at night time. I have heard an old cock grouse 

 " beck" in the dark. In all probability he had been 

 disturbed by some wandering sheep or prowling enemy. 

 During the different Jubilee and Coronation or Peace 

 festivities I have noticed that wild birds are much dis- 

 turbed by bonfires, at which rooks, jackdaws and black- 

 birds roosting at a considerable distance will raise their 

 voices in angry protest. 



The sharp, short bark of the fox is a well-known 

 sound of the night in many parts of the country during 

 the early spring, but I have never heard the voice of a 

 badger, although the animal lives and breeds on ground 

 I have worked by day and night for a great number of 

 years. 



It has been asserted that the greatest test of human 



ii 



