42 
BIRD-LIFE. 
attests this fact; for the Gander calls “gik,” while the 
Goose cries “ gak.” 
What has just gone before affords us sufficient proof 
that the bird, above all other animals, has the most 
perfectly-developed voice; though we but first realise its 
value when we subject its richest product—song—to an 
analysis. This heavenly gift has, unfortunately, not 
been awarded to all birds alike; Nature, ever just in 
her dispensations, has principally accorded it to the 
smaller and most modestly-adorned among the land- 
birds. Others have received greater stature and more 
gorgeous plumage. We are, however, acquainted with 
some songsters from among the middle-sized and 
bright-coloured birds, but they are rare exceptions. 
The same justice is shown in another manner, namely, 
the north is the true home of the singing bird. In the 
south, no doubt, rich colours and loud notes are to be 
found in abundance; many screaming, but only a very 
few singing, birds. We, on the other hand, are more 
fortunate, who may call the king of songsters our own: 
we can speak of wood and forest with ecstacy, other than 
that of the southerner; for our song birds, indeed, form 
the chief poetical element in the picture; to them we owe 
one of the principal attractions of forest life. Nevertheless, 
we ought not, perhaps, to say that our north alone is blessed 
with these pets of creation; for in all the remaining 
quarters of the globe fine songsters are to be found. 
Nature, ever generous with her gifts, seems only to have 
acted with injustice in one respect: the female sex, 
among birds, is deficient in song. Despite the pretty 
and pensive ideas of tender-hearted poetesses, who 
permit, among other things, feathered mothers to sing 
charming lullabys to their chicks, we must yield to truth, 
