AUTUMNAL AND BRUMAL SONGSTERS. 361 
Thrushes are not known to sing before January, 
and then only when fine. Skylarks frequently sing 
in fine weather in autumn, Blackbirds and Thrushes 
but seldom. Woodlarks select fine weather both 
in autumn and winter for their carols. In the winter 
of 1833—-4 Blackbirds and Thrushes were in very 
good song during the end of December and some 
parts of January, the weather being then particularly 
fine, the ‘Thrushes however did not sing so often as 
the Blackbirds. Titlarks also sang in the latter 
month. In January, 1835 Thrushes and Blackbirds 
were in good song through the month ; some other 
species were also in imperfect song, and the Blue 
Tit began his summer notes. On the 14th, Wood- 
larks were in good but short song. On October 20th 
1835, Skylarks sang delightfully, Woodlarks also 
were in good song, but it was ofa different kind to 
that above named. At intervals in January, 1836, 
Blackbirds sang. The Blue Tit likewise commenced 
his spring note, but the weather in this month was 
never very inviting. Missel Thrushes were also 
observed at times to sing at short intervals. When 
the weather relapsed into its ordinary character 
they all resumed their winter notes. On February 
20th, 1836, Chaffinches were in pairs and in usual 
summer song, but all these things were interfered 
with and ceased on the recurrence of sharp and 
stormy weather. This phenomenon of sudden 
discontinuance of song in accordance with the 
variableness of weather I remarked on to the mid- 
dle of April of that year, when no doubt a great 
many kinds had paired. Moreover on fine days 
when a general concert was held, birds not usually 
in song till after the above date, began their warbles. 
In the previous December we had very mild 
weather at times, and then Blackbirds commenced 
singing. The commencement of the year 1837 was 
U vu 
