358 THE ZOOLOGIST. 





THE AUTUMN SONG OF BIRDS. 

 By Charles A. Witchell. 



In a paper on " The Evolution of Bird-Song" which 

 appeared in ' The Zoologist,' 1890, p. 233, and attracted some 

 criticism, I stated that " in autumn the young male Sky Larks, 

 Thrushes, and Blackbirds begin to sing," and Mr. Aplin supports 

 this statement (Zool. 1894, p. 411), saying that on account of the 

 quality of the autumn songs it seems likely that they are pro- 

 duced by young birds of the year. He had never heard a 

 Blackbird sing the autumn song; nor have I; but I have heard 

 the young Blackbird practising a soft-warbled strain in October, 

 in the manner of a young Thrush. 



Mr. Aplin classes the Robin and Starling with the Thrush 

 and Hedgesparrow, as commencing to sing in November, or even 

 in October (Zool. 1894, p. 410) ; but the two former birds begin 

 their autumn song (if such it be) in August (see Zool. 1890, 

 p. 242, also ' Evolution of Bird-Song' [1890] , p. 65), or earlier. 

 I have often observed the Robin recommencing its song during 

 the first week in August; and this year, in Kent, numbers began 

 before the middle of July. The Starling I have observed year 

 by year to recommence in the first week in August. 



Mr. Aplin found the Willow Wren silent soon after the 

 middle of June (Zool. 1894, p. 411) ; and so have I for a week 

 or two; but I have heard numbers in song early in July (in 

 Gloucestershire and in Kent), and this year and last dozens 

 could be heard every morning. I have often seen a Willow 

 Wren sing when in heavy moult. This bird is the most per- 

 sistent singer of all our summer visitors, not ceasing till the 

 middle of August. The Blackcap I have once heard in 

 September. 



I can find no distinction between the spring and autumn 

 songs of these birds, except that the Robin makes great use of 





