CHAPTEE IX. 



SINGING-BIEDS AND FLOWERS, ETC. 



In days gone by, the following was a familiar proverb : 

 — " There is neither a bird that sings, a. scented flower, 

 nor a virgin, in Nipon." 



I have previously said something about the song- 

 sters of these islands ; and that, in my opinion, the lark 

 stands alone and unrivalled. 



Several species of birds have prolonged notes 

 during the spring, but none can, I think, enter the list 

 as real songsters. The blue rock-thrush has a short, 

 peculiar little song, which the male utters while he 

 darts off a rock, takes a short flight, and returns to the 



