70 SINGING BIRDS. 



7. Skylark, Alauda vulgaris. {^ ^^ ""* t 



8. Swallow, Hirundo domestica. From April to September. 



9. Black-cap, Atricapilla. AlJril 



10. Titlark, Alauda pratorum. Fr T II | dd !" f A P rU tO 



\ July the 16th. 



f Sometimes in February 



11. Blackbird, Merula vulgaris. * ) and March, and so 



J on to July the 23d; 

 V. re-assumes in autumn. 



12. White-throat, Ficedula affinis. Ic April, and to July 23. 



13. Goldfinch, Carduelis. /April and through to 



| September 16. 



14. Greenfinch, Chloris. Onto July and August 2d. 



15. Less reed-spar- "^ Passer arundinaceus ("May, onto beginning of 



row, J minor. \ July. 



f Breeds and whistles on till 

 August ; re-assumes 

 its note when they 



16 Common linnet, Linaria vulgaris. { begin to congregate in 



October, and again 

 early before the flocks 

 [_ separate. 



* The following circumstance, as to the imitative powers of the black- 

 bird, is a new fact in natural history, and was recorded by the Rev. Barton 

 Bouchier, of Wold Rectory, near Northampton, in April, 1831. " Within 

 hah a mile of my residence," says he, " there is a blackbird which crows 

 constantly, and as accurately as the common cock, and nearly as loud ; as 

 it may, on a still day, be heard at the distance of several hundred yards. 

 When first told of the circumstance, I conjectured that it must have been 

 the work of a cock pheasant, concealed in a neighbouring brake ; but on 

 the assurance that it was nothing more or less than a common blackbird, 

 I determined to ascertain the fact with my own eyes and ears; and this 

 day 1 had the gratification of getting close to it, seated on the top bough of 

 an ash-tree, and pursuing with unceasing zeal its unusual note. The 

 resemblance to the crow of the domestic cock is so perfect, that more 

 than one in the distance were answering to it, and the little fellow seemed 

 to take delight in competing with its rivals of the dunghill. It occasion- 

 ally indulged in its usual song; but only for a second or two, resuming 

 its more favourite note ; and once or twice it commenced with crowing, 

 and broke oif in the middle to its more natural whistle. I am not aware 

 that the blackbird has even been included among those birds which could 

 be taught to imitate sounds ; such as the starling, jay, or magpie ; and in 

 what way this bird has acquired its present propensity, I am unable to 

 say, except that, as its usual haunt is near a mill where poultry are kept, 

 it may have learnt the note from the common fowl." 



Blackbirds can be taught various airs, while in a state of captivity, 

 but we consider the circumstance of this bird, in a wild state, imitating 

 the crowing of a cock, as very remarkable. ED. 



