Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892 edition. Excerpt: ...caused by mere cupidity, and the propensity to shoot any rare or conspicuous object, and then boast of the deed in the newspapers. The love of collecting is at best too apt to sink into mere greed, where the scientific and aesthetic interest is degraded into the miserly one of possessing specimens of nioney value. The Kingfisher, Bee-eater, Roller, and Oriole vie in brilliancy of plumage with tropical birds; but the Oriole is the only one of the gay company that has any pretension to the musical gift that distinguishes so many British Birds: Merry it is in the good greenwood, When the mavis and merle are singing. Sir Walter Scott is right in making them sing together. A duet between them is indeed a treat, when both are in full song on a warm evening in Spring: The Throstle with shrill sharps--Upon his dulcet pipe the Merle. The song of the Throstle is perhaps generally preferred to that of the Blackbird. It is more varied and lively, but inferior in mellowness to that of the Merle, to which the name of the " Mellow Mavis" would seem to be most appropriate; When the grey dawn He hails; or when with parting light, concludes His melody. The Merle's note, Mellifluous, rich, deep-toned, fills all the vale, And charms the ravished ear. Another fine singer and constant resident in our apple orchards, is the Missel Thrush; preferred by Montagu and others to the Throstle. In spring, while the female is sitting, the rich loud note of the Missel Thrush from his perch on a tall elm may be more striking than that of the Throstle; but perhaps in such cases "comparisons are odious." It is certainly strange that an ornithologist should deny this fine songster any other note than the ' loud untuneful voice" heard before a storm, ...
