26 WOOD THRUSH. 



viduals of the human species, or as one singer does from 

 another. The powers of song, in some individuals of the 

 wood thrush, have often surprised and delighted me. Of these 

 I rememher one, many years ago, whose notes I could instantly 

 recognise on entering the woods, and with whom I had been, 

 as it were, acquainted from his first arrival. The top of a 

 large white oak that overhung part of the glen, was usually 

 the favourite pinnacle from whence he poured the sweetest 

 melody ; to which I had frequently listened till night began 

 to gather in the woods, and the fireflies to sparkle among the 

 branches. But, alas ! in the pathetic language of the poet — 



One morn I missed him on the accustomed hill, 

 Along the vale, and on his favourite tree — 

 Another came, nor yet beside the rill, 

 Nor up the glen, nor in the wood was he. 



A few days afterwards, passing along the edge of the rocks, I 

 found fragments of the wings and broken feathers of a wood 

 thrush killed by the hawk, which I contemplated with un- 

 feigned regret, and not without a determination to retaliate on 

 the first of these murderers I could meet with. 



That I may not seem singular in my estimation of this 

 bird, I shall subjoin an extract of a letter from a distinguished 

 American gentleman, to whom I had sent some drawings, and 

 whose name, were I at liberty to give it, would do honour to 

 my humble performance, and render any further observations 

 on the subject from me unnecessary. 



"As you are curious in birds, there is one well worthy your 

 attention, to be found, or rather heard, in every part of Ame- 

 rica, and yet scarcely ever to be seen. It is in all the forests 

 from spring to fall, and never but on the tops of the tallest 

 trees, from which it perpetually serenades us with some of the 



that, on alighting upon a branch, it gives its tail a few jets, uttering at 

 each motion a low chuckling note, peculiar to itself ; it then stands still 

 for a while, with the feathers of the hind part a little raised. It walks 

 and hops along the branches with much ease, and bends down its head 

 to peep at the objects around. — Ed. 



