172 RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



hear the love song of the Chaffinch. Though short and 

 even monotonous as compared to the melody of the Song- 

 thrush, still there is an indescribable freshness and spright- 

 liness about it, and its loud ringing tones seem to fill 

 the air and the woodlands around with gladness. When 

 we hear his enlivening notes in the vernal year we know 

 he is inviting a female to join him for the coming breed- 

 ing season, and we hail his melody as one of the first 

 signs of coming spring, and prize it accordingly, for at a 

 time like this the slightest warning of the change of 

 season is welcomed with the keenest delight. The 

 Chaffinch sings incessantly from the beginning of March 

 till the middle of July, when in the autumnal moult his 

 voice is lost until the following spring. Sometimes, 

 however, the Chaffinch is heard to sing after recovery 

 from the moult. The 24th of September 1878 was one 

 of those calm tranquil times that so often mark the 

 waning year — one of those evenings when all Nature seems 

 lulled to rest after the vigorous activity of the spring 

 and summer. As I was pausing to admire the calmness 

 of all Nature around me, my ears were suddenly greeted 

 with the love song of the Chaffinch, given forth as loudly 

 and sweetly as in the vernal season. He sang but once, 

 and though I lingered long, his bewitching notes were 

 heard no more. Perhaps the old proverb, ' One Swallow 

 does not make a summer,' may be urged in this case ; but 

 then he sang again the following month, and I have not 

 a doubt but what he sings at intervals throughout the 

 autumn months, although, notwithstanding, the occur- 

 rence is certainly a rare one and worthy of record. This 

 gives me a somewhat convincing proof that birds whicli 

 moult early in the year regain their lost melody, probably 

 owing to the genial weather at the time they have com- 

 pleted it, for I am convinced that the song of birds is 



