150 BIRDS IN TOWN AND VILLAGE 



or to the species which comes nearest to it in struc- 

 ture and habits. Thus, suppose that the introduction 

 of a pigeon should be desired. We know that in all 

 temperate regions these birds vary as little in colour 

 and markings as they do in form, but in the vocal 

 powers of different species there is great diversity ; 

 and the main object would therefore be to secure a 

 bird which would be an improvement in this respect 

 on the native kinds. There are doves belonging to 

 the same genus as stock-dove and wood-pigeon that 

 have exceedingly good voices, in which the peculiar 

 mournful dove-melody has reached its highest 

 perfection — ^weird and passionate strains, surging 

 and ebbing, and startling the hearer with their 

 mysterious resemblance to human tones. Or a 

 Zenaida might be preferred for its tender lament, 

 so wild and exquisitely modulated, like sobs ether- 

 ealized and set to music, and passing away in sigh- 

 like sounds that seem to mimic the aerial voices of 

 the wind. 



When considering the character of our bird 

 population with a view to its improvement, one 

 cannot but think much, and with a feeling almost 

 of dismay, of the excessive abundance of the sparrow. 

 A systematic persecution of this bird would probably 

 only serve to make matters worse, since its continued 

 increase is not the cause but an effect of a corres- 

 ponding decrease in other more useful and attractive 



