ON THE SINGING OF BIRDS. 
SO express seg ) with superior judgement and 
taste. 
I have therefore commonly observed, that 
my nightingale began softly like the ancient 
orators; reserving its breath to swell certain 
notes, which by this means had a most astonish- 
ing effect, and which eludes all verbal description. 
I have indeed taken down certain passages 
which may be reduced to our musical intervals; 
but though by these means one may form an 
idea of some of the notes used, yet it is impos- 
- sible to give their comparative durations in point 
of musical time, upon which the whole effect 
must depend. : 
I once procured a very capital plasien on the 
flute to execute the notes which Kzrcher hath 
engraved in his Musurgia, as being used by the 
nightingale ; when, from want of not being able 
to settle their respective lengths, it was impos- 
sible to observe any traces almost of the night- 
ingale’s song. 
It may not be improper here to consider, whe- 
ther the nightingale may not have a very formi- 
dable competitor in the American mocking- 
bird ;* though almost all travellers agree, that 
* Turdus Americanus minor canorus. Ray's Syn. It is 
called by the Indians, Contlatolli; which is said to signify four 
hundred tongues. See also Catesby. Mimic Thrush. Arct. Zool. 
ii, 14. Lath. Syn. iii. 40. 
VOL: IL, 2B 
