262 N. Wharton-Tigar—Some Songsters among Foreign Softbills


a Shama, a Blackbird, and a Thrush, he can also copy other sounds

not always quite so good !


Many of the Sunbirds have lovely little voices and sing well. The

tiny Van Hasselt’s Sunbird used particularly to delight me, and the

Yellow-breasted from the Philippine Islands is still here to charm with

his constant sweet song.


The King Bird of Paradise has a very pleasing chattering little song,

very delightful to listen to, the Rufous-bellied Niltava has a low sweet

song, and another Robin-like bird, the White-tailed Blue Robin Chat

from India, has a rather similar song, perhaps even more pleasing.


Very lovely and sweet like a peal of tiny bells is the song of the Loo-

Choo Robin, never loud, always well modulated ; this is, of course,

one of the most charming birds one can possess.


The Clarinos are noted for their song so flutelike and clear ; and in

the days of the late Mr. Chapman I had one with a glorious song. I

now have the Martinique Solitaire, a very pretty bird, grey and chest¬

nut, with yellow legs and white on tail: this bird has a very lovely song,

long drawn out sweet notes, with a refrain in a minor key, and he sings

late in the evening and very early in the morning. A Whistling Thrush

I had sang like a musical box and was very good to listen to, especially

out of doors.


The Fairy Bluebird sings, but it is much too monotonous to be

considered good and it is too easy to mimic, as I knew to my cost when

my Grey Parrot chose to do the Fairy Bluebird from morn till night !

There must be many other softbills among foreign birds with outstand¬

ing powers of song, and it would be very interesting to hear from readers

of their experiences with them.



