252 
THE STORMCOCK. 
at every point, I sometimes peevishly ask myself, 
Why should Nature 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 1 
answer my own question, by whispering to myself, 
that the she carrion may possibly experience won- 
derful delight in listening to the hoarse croaking of 
her partner ; just as the old Scotchwoman did, when 
she used to gaze at the carbuncle on her husband's 
nose. In a word, I know nothing, absolutely nothing, 
about the song in birds. The raven will whistle 
you a tune so true and pleasing that you feel quite 
enchanted with his performance; whilst his congener, 
the carrion crow, notwithstanding all your pains to 
instruct him, will remain as unmusical as Paddy's 
fiddle, which was dumb for want of catgut. 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 attempt at song ; for we know that with 
us both ladies and gentlenien are full of fine sounds. 
Wherever a Braham is heard, there is sure to be a 
Billington not far off. 
However, should it be the case, in ornithology, 
that Nature has ordered the male to sing his female 
to repose, there are some exceptions to the supposed 
general rule. J may adduce the stormcock by way 
of example ; for he warbles nearly the year through- 
out. I have often heard him pour forth his wild and 
plaintive notes in the months of August, October, 
November, and December, and in every following 
