5812 Notes of a 



note of the blackbird, deservedly admired for its rich mellowness, is 

 in its turn outvied by the brilliant flute-like notes of its congener, the 

 oriole. His note is a very loud whistle, which may be heard at a 

 great distance, but in richness equalling the flute-stop of a fine-toned 

 organ. But variety there is none in his song, as he never utters more 

 than three notes consecutively, and those at intervals of half-a-minute 

 or a minute. Were it not for his fine tone, therefore, his song would 

 be as monotonous as that of the missel thrush, which in modulation it 

 greatly resembles. 



The black redstart {Sylvia tithys) is tolerably plentiful, resembling 

 the common species in little more than the rufous tail. Its name of 

 black redstart (or redtail) quite expresses its plumage. Its song, like- 

 wise, is inferior in variety and tone to that of its congener, but its 

 actions are sprightly aud interesting. I have often seen it, with out- 

 stretched wings, lying flat upon the tiles of a house-top, and basking 

 in the sunshine. 



The reed locustelle {Locustella ' Jiuviatills) is a protege of Natterer, 

 the Vienna naturalist. He separated it from the genus Salicaria on 

 account of some peculiarities of the beak and hind claw. I did not 

 see it, but mention it, inasmuch as it frequents the reed-beds of the 

 Danubian islets, and other marshy districts in the vicinity, and is a 

 bird confined to eastern Europe. 



I did not hear the nightingale till May; but when once they 

 arrived they were in abundance here, as well as all over North Ger- 

 many. It is very common to hear these birds in confinement in the 

 streets of Vienna ; I have often been arrested by their well-known 

 notes in the most crowded thoroughfares. The first time I heard 

 them, on searching for their author, I saw, in the window of an upper 

 story, a sort of bundle, from which the sound seemed to proceed; but 

 on directing my telescope to it (which I always carried for observation 

 on the glacis, though in daily peril of being charged with treason) I 

 discovered the nightingale cage wrapped up in an old-printed cloth ; 

 indeed, I never heard one sing which was not so concealed. But the 

 Viennese have another and a stouter Philomel, called the thrush 

 nightingale {Philomela tiirdoides) or Vienna nightingale, a species 

 distinguished by the industry of Mr. Blyth; but, though bigger, it by 

 no means attains to the delicacy of intonation of our queen of song. 

 It rather emulates the Merulidae in strength of voice ; and while in 

 the force of its sonorous notes it carries off the palm, it does not en- 

 croach upon the prescriptive domain of our pre-eminently "sweet 



