364 APPENDIX. VI. 



also observed the breath of a robin (which ex- 

 erted itself) so condensed in a frosty morning, as 

 to be very visible. 



To make the comparison, however, with ac- 

 curacy, between the loudness of a bird's and the 

 human voice, a person should be sent to the 

 spot from whence the bird is heard; I should 

 rather conceive that, upon such trial, the night- 

 ingale would be distinguished further than the 

 man. 



It must have struck every one, that, in pass- 

 ing under a house where the windows are shut, 

 the singing of a bird is easily heard, when, at 

 . the same time, a conversation cannot be so, 

 though an animated one. 



Most people, who have not attended to the 

 notes of birds, suppose that those of every spe- 

 cies sing exactly the same notes and passages, 

 which is by no means true, though it is admit- 

 ted that there is a general resemblance. 



Thus the London bird-catchers prefer the 

 song of the Kentish goldfinches, but Essej' chaf- 

 finches ; and when they sell the bird to those 

 who can thus distinguish, inform the buyer that 

 it hath such a note, which is very well under- 

 stood between them. * 



* These are the names which they give to some of the night- 

 ingale's notes: Sweet, Sweet jug. Jug sweet, Water hulhle, 



