PREFACE. 



Wren exerts its little throat and hops about the 

 woodpile as if awakened from a dream to thoughts 

 of nuptial bliss. 



The sprightly Chaffinch is one of the first to 

 indicate the approach of spring ; and who will there- 

 fore say its song is not delightful to the ear ? 



Every coppice-wood and grove throughout the 

 greater part of the year re-echoes with the sonorous 

 whistle and melodious chanting of the Mavis and 

 the Merle : and frequently amid the hedge in early 

 spring the Dunnock's gentle chant is heard. 



The golden-blossomed furze, which overspreads 

 the waste and open common, is filled with melody 

 by the Linnet's measured lay, and the more tender 

 warble of Stonechat ; and many a fruitless search 

 has been made by truant schoolboys for the nest 

 and eggs, so well concealed beneath the prickly 

 bush. 



The Stormcock's early song foretells the rising 

 tempest from a lofty perch in the wood or pine- 

 forest, where the tiny Goldcrest flits about the 

 twigs and sprays, uttering its delicately warbled 

 lay. 



The Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Siskin, though deprived 

 of their liberty and pent within a cage, still retain 

 their attractive qualities, and fill our homes with 

 harmony and song. They return the attentions 

 shown them by a reciprocal attachment ; are taught 

 to pipe our favourite airs, or display amusing tricks. 

 The Canary alone may strictly be called a domestic 

 songster : bred for so many years in confinement, 

 one might imagine it had lost all desire to roam, 



