89 



the multitudes that are consumed by them, would 

 render some countries unfit for human residence : 

 about one hundred species are described^ 



WARBLERS (MOTACILLA). 



This genus is more numerous than any other of 

 birds. Dr. Latham, in his excellent work, *' The 

 general Synopsis of Birds," describes one hundred 

 and ninety-eight species. The major part of them 

 inhabit the warmer countries, where insects, their 

 proper food, abound. They are in general not re- 

 markable for gaiety of plumage, but their melody 

 amply compensates for their deficiency in that 

 respect. 



The Nightingale (Motacilla Luscina), though com- 

 mon in this country, never visits the northern parts 

 of our island, and is seldom seen but in the neigh- 

 bourhood of London and the western counties. The 

 following description of the varied song of this unri- 

 valled bird, is taken from the ingenious author of the 

 Hisioire des Oiseaux: — ** The leader of the vernal 

 '' chorus begins with a low and timid voice, and he 

 *' prepares for the hymn to nature by essaying his 

 " powers and attuning his organs ; by degrees the 

 " sound opens and swells, it bursts with loud and 

 ** vivid flashes, it flows with smooth volubility, it 

 " faints and murmurs, it shakes with rapid and vio- 

 " lent articulations 3 the soft breathings of love and 

 N 



