184 OBSERVATIONS &W 
Thus the London bird-catchers prefer the 
fong of the Kentifli Gold- Finches, but EfTex 
Chaffinches : and when they fell the bird to 
thofe who can thus diflinguifh, inform the 
buyer that it hath fuch a note, which is very 
well imderfiood between them. 
Some of the Nightingale fanciers alfo prefer 
a Surry bird to thofe of Middfefex. 
Thefe differences in the fong of birds, of the 
fame fpecies, cannot perhaps be compared to 
any thing more appollte than the varieties of 
provincial dialefls. 
The Nightingale feems to have been fixed 
upon, aim off univerfaily, as the moft capital of 
finglng birds, which fuperiority it certainly may 
boldly challenge : one reafon, however, of this 
bird’s being more attended to than others, ls 0 
that it lings in the night 
Elence Shakefpeare fays, 
“ T he Nightingale, if flie fhould fing fey day, 
When every goofe is cackling, would be thought 
No better a mtifician than the Wren.” 
The fong of this bird hath been defcribed^ 
, I nc w °od-Lark and Red-Sparrow fing Iikewife in the 
Sight; and from hence, in the neighbourhood of. Shrewfbu- 
/y, tne latter hath obtained the name of'-the Willoiv-Nightin.- 
*f e \ N ighingales, however, and theft two other birds, fing 
^0 ,n lhe day, hut are not then (Jiftingnifhcd in the genes 
?.aJ CQncerk. ** 
