THE VOICE. 
57 
which is celebrated for its singing powers, and is often 
caught and caged, especially in China. Kittlitz tells us 
that its song is full in tone, but intermingled with an 
indistinct twittering melody. Eadde says that it cannot, 
in any way, be compared with our Nightingale:—“ It 
does not possess that low gurgling rattle, followed by the 
deep powerful whistle of our bird; and thus cannot be 
confounded with it: it is a low plaintive strain which is 
wafted on the ear.” This bird sings not only in the 
day-time, but, also, with greater energy during the 
bright, still mid-night hour, so peculiar to its native 
land, filling the desert-swamp with life and song. The 
forests of the Himalayas afford shelter to numberless 
songsters, among which there are many fully equal to 
our own; some of the Thrushes which inhabit this 
district are said to he splendid singers. The “ Schamak” 
(Kittacincla macrourci ) may be considered the king of 
Indian songsters; it is a fine performer, belonging to 
the family of the Stonechats ( Saxicola ). This bird is 
dispersed over a large portion of Southern Asia, and is 
often kept in confinement. The natives listen to its song 
with ecstacy, and even Europeans speak of it with 
admiration. Among the assemblage of woodland minstrels, 
so numerous in Southern Asia, we must not be astonished 
to find some highly-gifted members. Notes and observa¬ 
tions on the lives of these birds are, however, still 
wanting. India is, also, not without her representatives 
of the mocking fraternity, who make free with the songs 
of their neighbours. The Drongos can almost vie with 
the American Mocking-birds; besides which there are 
several Bulbuls ( Pycnonotus ), and others, masters of the 
art of mimicry. 
Among those birds which do not sing there are many 
i 
