346 APPENDIX. VI. 



but by the proportionable loudness of its 

 notes.* 

 ' ' I should rather conceive, it is for the same 



reason that no hen-bird sings, because this ta- 

 lent would be still more dangerous during in- 

 cubation ; which may possibly also account for 

 the inferiority in point of plumage. 



I shall now consider how far the singing of 

 birds resembles our known musical intervals, 

 which are never marked more minutely than to 

 half notes ; because, though we can form every 

 gradation from half-note to half-note, by draw- 

 ing the finger gently over the string of a violin, 

 or covering by degrees the hole of a flute ; yet 

 we cannot produce such a minute interval at 

 command, when a quarter-note for example 

 might be required. 



Ligon, indeed, in his history of Barbadoes, 

 hath the following passage : " The next bird is 

 " of the color of the fieldfare ; but the head is 

 " too large for the body; and for that reason 

 " she is called a counsellor. She performs 

 " that with her voice, which no instrument 

 " can play, or voice can sing; and that is 

 " quarter-notes, her song being composed of 



* For the same reason, most large birds are wilder than the 

 smaller ones. 



