BRITISH SONG-BIRDS. 121 



tion of its little throat, we were convinced the 

 whole notes proceeded from one bird. On ma- 

 ture consideration, (having now heard it frequent- 

 ly,) we are still of the same opinion; but when it 

 pours out its full song, we think it possesses many- 

 notes very similar to several in the nightingale's war- 

 ble, thus combining in its song many of the musical 

 qualities of these three excellent song-birds. Buffon 

 says, " that its airs are light and easy, and consist 

 of a succession of modulations of small compass, 

 but sweet, flexible, and blended." And our ingeni- 

 ous countryman, Mr White, observes : — " that it 

 has usually a full, sweiet, deep, loud, and wild pipe; 

 yet the strain is of short continuance, and its mo- 

 tions desultory. But when tliis bird sets calmly, 

 and in earnest engages in song, it poiu-s forth very 

 sweet but inward melody, and expresses great 

 variety of sweet and gentle modulations, superior, 

 perhaps, to any of our warblers, the nightingale 

 excepted." 



