THE VOICE. 
47 
richer in tone and poetry than the plains; the south has 
other sounds than the north. All this may have its 
influence on the songs of birds. The great Sedge 
Warbler (Calamoherpe turdoides ) sings Nature’s songs 
in a most unmistakable manner. In its melody we 
recognise the rustling of the reeds, the murmur of the 
waves, and even the croaking of the frog, which latter 
it probably regards as its first instructor. The songs of 
many other birds are influenced in a similar manner. 
The elder of their own species, however, remain their 
real singing masters. Young birds, when captured, only 
learn to sing correctly when placed early under tuition; 
if this is neglected they always turn out bunglers. Good 
masters generally produce good scholars; still these latter 
are easily spoiled by contact with bad performers. The 
old proverb, “Evil communication corrupts good man¬ 
ners,” holds good with singing birds to its fullest extent; 
the best of them allow themselves to be beguiled into 
imitating the bungles of inferior performers, instead of 
leading these to better their style. Two or more 
singing birds excite competitive singing on all sides; 
but not unfrequently one vanquishes the other so 
thoroughly, that the latter dares only to sing in an 
undertone, while the other announces his victorious 
jubilee in a peal of song. The song of a bird is an 
undoubted test of its being in good health and spirits. 
One and the same bird will sing at one time loudly and 
ardently, and at another softly and sadly: it either 
rejoices or laments in its song; when courting its mate, 
the beauteous melody rings with all the ardent fire and 
joyousness which pervades its whole being; except at 
this time a bird is generally incapable of singing, or if it 
attempts to do so is able at the most to bungle. 
