VOL. LXIII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 447 



birds sing always in the same key. In this circumstance, they differ much from 

 the human singer; because those who are not able to sing at sight, often begin 

 a song either above or below the compass of their voice, which they are not 

 therefore able to go through with. As birds however form the same passages 

 with the same notes, at all times, this mistake of the pitch can never happen in 

 them. Few singers again can continue their own part, while the same passages 

 are sung by another in a different key; or if the same or other passages are 

 sung, so as not to coincide with the musical bar, or time of the first singer. As 

 birds however adhere so stedfastly to the same precise notes in the same passages, 

 though they never trouble themselves about what is called time in music; it 

 follows that a composition may be formed for 2 piping bulfinches, in 2 parts, so 

 as to constitute true harmony, though either of the birds may happen to begin, 

 or stop, when they please. 



Mr. B. had observed, that perhaps no bird may be said to sing which 

 i^ larger than a blackbird, though many of them are taught to speak: the 

 smaller birds however have this power of imitation; though perhaps the larger 

 ones have not organs which may enable them, on the other hand, to sing. And 

 he mentions several expressions among the ancients noticing the speaking 

 of birds. 



As it appears from these citations, that so many different sorts of birds have 

 learned to speak, and as Mr. B. has showed that a sparrow may be taught to 

 sing the linnet's note, he scarcely knows what species to fix on, that may be 

 considered as incapable of such imitations; for it is clear, from several experi- 

 ments before stated, that the utmost endeavours will not be wanting in the bird, 

 if he is endowed with the proper organs. It can therefore only be settled by 

 educating a bird, under proper circumstances, whether he is thus qualified or not; 

 for if one was only to determine this point by conjecture, one should suppose 

 that a sparrow would not imitate the song of the linnet, nor that a nightingale 

 or partridge could be taught to speak. 



Considering the size of many singing birds, it is rather amazing at what a 

 distance their notes may be heard. Thus, a nightingale may be very clearly 

 distinguished at more than half a mile, if the evening is calm. Mr. B. has also 

 observed the breath of a robin, which exerted itself, so condensed in a frosty 

 morning, as to be very visible. To make the comparison however with accuracy, 

 between the loudness of a bird's and the human voice, a person should be sent 

 to the spot from which the bird is heard; Mr. B. conceives that, on such trial, 

 the nightingale would be distinguished farther than the man. It must have 

 struck every one, that, in passing under a house where the windows are shut, the 

 singing of a bird is easily heard, when at the same time a conversation cannot be 

 so, though an animated one. Most people, who have not attended to the notes 



