INTRODUCTION. 
7 
ture have made a provision in the male blackbird^ in order 
that he may soothe his incubating female^ and have denied 
that provision to my favourite the carrion crow ? and then 
I answer my own question by whispering to myself^ that 
the she- carrion may possibly experience wonderful delight 
in listening to the hoarse croaking of her partner. , . . 
In a word^ I know nothings absolutely nothings about the 
song in birds. The raven will whistle you a tune so true 
and pleasing^ that you feel quite enchanted with his perform- 
ance ; while his congener^ the carrion crow^ notwithstanding 
all your pains to instruct him, will remain unmusical. . . . 
We listen with delight to the many species of male birds 
which make the groves resound with their melody ; and we 
cannot imagine why the females so seldom venture an at- 
tempt at song; for we know that with us both ladies and 
gentlemen are full of fine sounds. Wherever a Braham is 
heard, there is sure to be a Billington not far off." 
The activity of birds when they have young is most sur- 
prising. Dr. Macgillivray^ records the observations made 
by a friend on a pair of blue titmice when rearing their 
young. The parent birds began their labour of love at half- 
past three o^ clock in the morning, and did not leave off till 
* History of British Birds, indigenous and migratory, vol. ii. p. 438. 
