66 
BIRDS 
quavers that occur between the main bars, 
you think his tongue must be more reson¬ 
ant and of finer metal. In uttering the 
tinkling, bead-like de, de, de, he is more 
facile and exquisite; in the longer notes 
he possesses greater compass and power, 
and is more prodigal of his finer tones. 
How delicately he syllables the minor 
parts, weaving, as it were, the finest of 
silver embroideries to the main texture 
of his song! 
Those who have heard only the Wood- 
Thrush commit a very pardonable error 
in placing him first on the list of our 
songsters. He is truly a royal minstrel, 
and, considering his liberal distribution 
throughout our Atlantic seaboard, per¬ 
haps contributes more than any other 
bird to our sylvan melody. One may 
object, that he spends a little too much 
time in tuning his instrument, yet his 
careless and uncertain touches reveal its 
rare compass and power. 
He is the only songster of my acquaint¬ 
ance, excepting the Canary, that displays 
different degrees of proficiency in the 
exercise of his musical gifts. Not long 
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