VOL. vin.J THE STUDY OF BIRD-NOTES. 5 



five lines used by the musician, and employ the higher 

 octaves — 



^' 



and even ^^' 



With regard to the timbre, it is as impossible to 

 indicate this, as it is impossible to indicate it in 

 the case of the violin or trumpet ; and unfortunately 

 it is only possible in the rarest cases to describe 

 it by comparison with well-known musical instruments. 

 Wlien once the phonograph, assisted by photographic 

 registering, can be employed scientifically in the field 

 of ornithology, we shall hear birds sing from the 

 apparatus M'ith all the shades of timbre, tone, and 

 sound, as we hear at present more or less good musical 

 productions of our own species. Till then we must 

 be content Avith the fact that the voices of different 

 birds represent as many instruments, each of which 

 has its specific timbre — ^which we are unable to define, 

 because we are unaccustomed to it. 



Three examples may show how, through our method 

 of representation, the characteristic signs of bird-notes — 

 rhythm, pitch, and intervals — can also be fixed to our 

 entire satisfaction : — 



The strophe of the Tawny Owl {Strix a. aluco), on 



''^^-/-jrrrr 





f 



y>1 





STROPHE OF TAWXY OWL. 



account of its deep pitch, is easy to whistle. It is divided 

 into three parts : the introduction is a long-drawn 



