ON THE SINGING OF BIRDS. 
season; nor are we less willing to suppose the 
song of birds to be superior to our own musical 
powers. 
The notes of many birds are certainly very 
pleasing, but by no means stand in competition — 
either with the human voice or our worst musi- 
cal instruments; not only from want of the 
striking effects of harmony in many excellent 
compositions; but because, even when com- 
pared to our simple melody, expression is want- 
ing,* without which music is so languid and in- 
animate. 
But to return to the uses (such as they are) 
which may arise from attending to the song of 
birds, or from the experiments which I have 
given an accountof. 
The first of these is too much neglected by the 
naturalist; for, if the bird is not caught, the only 
means often by which either the sex or the species 
can be determined is the song. For example, if 
Mons. Adanson had informed us whether the 
European swallows, which he conceived were to 
be seen during the winter at Senegal, had the 
same notes with those of Europe, it would 
have been going one step further in proof of the 
facts which he and others so much rely upon. 
These experiments, however, may be said to 
* The nightingale, indeed, is perhaps an exception to this 
general observation. 
S75 
