246 HlSTOllV OF 



CHAP. III. 



OF THE NIGHTINGALE, AND OTHER SOFT-BILLED SONG-BIUDS. 



The Nightingale is not only famous among the moderns for 

 its singing, but almost every one of the ancients, who under - 



part of tlie woods, piping liis clear musical notes in a kind of ecstasy, the 

 prelude or symphony to which strongly resembles the double-touguiug of a 

 German flute, and sometimes the tinkling of a small bell. The whole song 

 consists of five or six parts, the last note of each of which is in a tone that 

 leaves the conclusion suspended. The finale is beautifully managed, with 

 so fine an eftect as to appear sweeter and mellower at each successive repe- 

 tition. Rival songsters, in different parts of a wood, seem to vie with each 

 other in the softness of their tones, and the exquisite finish of their respon. 

 ses. During the heat of the day they are compai'atively mute, but they re- 

 new their song at the close of day, and continue it long after sunset. Even 

 in dark gloomy weather, during May and Jiuie, when scarce a chirp is 

 heard from auy other bird, the wood thrush sings from morn till night ; and 

 it may be said with justice, that the sadder the day the sweeter is his song. 

 Tliose who have paid attention to the singing of birds know well that their 

 voice, energy, and expression differ as \^'idely ;is in man ; and, agreeably to 

 this remark, "Wilson says he was so familiar with the notes of an individual 

 wood thrush, that he could recognise him from all liis fellows the moment 

 he entered the woods. 



The Mocking-bird seems to be the prince of all song birds, being altogether 

 unrivalled in the extent and variety of his vocal powers ; and, bi!=ides the 

 fulness and melody of iiis original notes, he has the faculty of imitating the 

 notes of all other birds, from the humming-bird to the eagle. Pennant tells 

 u.s that he heard a caged one, in England, imitate the mewing of a cat and 

 the creaking of a sign in high winds. The Hon. Daines Barrington says his 

 pipe comes the nearest to our nightingale, of any bird he ever heard. The 

 description, however, given by Wilson, in his own inimitable manner, as far 

 e.Kcels Pennant and Barrington as the bird excels his fellow-songsters. 

 Wilson tells that the ease, elegance, and rapidity of his movements, the ani. 

 niation of Iiis eye, and the intelligence he displays in listening and laying up 

 lessons, mark the peculiarity of his genius. His voice is full, strong, and 

 nuuical, and capable of almost every modulation, from the clear mellow 

 tones of the wood thrush to the savage scream of the bald eagle. In mea- 

 sure and accents he faitlifully follows his originals, while in force and sweet- 

 ni'ss of expression he greatly improves upon them. In his native woods, 

 on a dewy morning, his song rises above every competitor, for the others 

 seem merely as inferior accompaniments. His own notes are bold and full, 

 and varied seemingly beyond all limits. They consist of short expressions 

 of two, three, or at most five or six, syllables, generally expressed with 

 great emphasis and rapidity, and continued with undiminished ardour, for 

 half an hour or an hour at a time. Wliile singing, he expands liis wings 

 and his tail, glistening with white, keeping time to liis own music, and the 



