NATURE'S CAROL SINGERS. 



time I figured the young one shown in 

 our illustration on page 56 — which could 

 fly quite well — I feel sure that I could 

 have photographed one or both of the 

 parent birds feeding it. 



This species is considered by many 

 people to come next to the Nightingale 

 as one of Nature's Carol Singers. Its 

 voice is certainly sweeter in tone, though 

 it lacks both the power and variety of 

 that of the Common Skylark. Yarrell 

 says that " its soothing notes never sound 

 more sweetly than while the performer 

 is mounting in the air by wide circles, 

 or, having attained the summit of its 

 lofty flight, is hanging almost stationary 

 overhead." 



That is exactly how the bird's delight- 

 fully flute-like notes affect me, although 

 many people find an element of sadness 

 in them. Burns, for instance, considered 

 the Woodlark's song a mixture of love 

 and sorrow, and exclaimed : 



"For pity's sake, sweet bird, nae mair 

 Or my poor heart is broken." 



It sings whilst perched upon a tree, 

 and sometimes its clear, tender notes 

 may be heard ringing out during a fine 

 summer's night. 



54 



