The Natural History of Selborne Part 15

10. t.i.tlark, Alauda pratorum: From middle of April to July the 16th.

11. Blackbird, Merula vulgaris: Sometimes in February and March, and so on to July the twenty third; rea.s.sumes in autumn.

12. White-throat, Ficedulcae affinis: In April and on to July 23.

13. Goldfinch, Carduelis: April and through to September 16.

14. Greenfinch, Chloris: On to July and August 2.

15. Less reed-sparrow, Pa.s.ser arundinaceus minor: May, on to beginning of July.

16. Common linnet, Linaria vulgaris: Breeds and whistles on till August; rea.s.sumes its note when they begin to congregate in October, and again early before the flock separate.

Birds that cease to be in full song, and are usually silent at or before Midsurnmer:

17. Middle willow-wren, Regulus non cristatus: Middle of June: begins in April.

18. Red-start, Ruticilla: Middle of June: begins in May.

19. Chaffinch, Fringilla: Beginning of June: sings first in February.

20. Nightingale, Luscinia: Middle of June: sings first in April.

Birds that sing for a short tune, and very early in the spring:

21. Missel-bird, t.u.r.dus viscivorus: January the 2nd, 1770, in February. Is called in Hamps.h.i.+re and Suss.e.x the storm -c.o.c.k, because its song is supposed to forebode windy wet weather: is the largest singing bird we have.

22. Great t.i.t-mouse, or ox-eye, Fringillago: In February, March, April: rea.s.sumes for a short time in September.

Birds that have somewhat of a note or song, and yet are hardly to be called singing birds:

23. Golden-crowned wren, Regulus cristatus: Its note as minute as its person; frequents the tops of high oaks and firs; the smallest British bird.

24. Marsh t.i.tmouse, Parus pal.u.s.tris: Haunts great woods; two harsh sharp notes.

25. Small willow-wren, Regulus non cristatus: Sings in March and on to September.

26. Largest ditto, Ditto: Cantat voce stridula locustae: from end of April to August.

27. Gra.s.shopper-lark, Alauda minima voce locustae: Chirps all night, from the middle of April to the end of July

28. Martin, Hirundo agrestis: All the breeding time; from May to September.

29. Bullfinch, Pyrrhula:

30. Bunting, Emberiza alba: From the end of January to July.

All singing birds, and those that have any pretensions to song, not only in Britain, but perhaps the world through, come under the Linnaean ordo of pa.s.seres.

The above-mentioned birds, as they stand numerically, belong to the following Linnaean genera.

1, 7, 10, 27.

Alauda.

2, 11, 21.

t.u.r.dus.

3, 4, 5, 9, 12, 15, 17, 18, 20, 23, 25, 26.

Motacilla.

6, 30.

Emberiza.

8, 28.

Hirundo.

13, 16, 19.

Pringilla.

22, 24.

Parus.

14, 29.

Loxia.

Birds that sing as they fly are but few:

Skylark, Raii nomina.

Alauda vulgaris: Rising, suspended, and falling.

t.i.tlark, Alauda pratorum: In its descent; also sitting on trees, and walking on the ground.

Woodlark, Alauda arborea: Suspended; in hot summer nights all night long.

Blackbird, Merula: Sometimes from bush to bush.

White-throat, Ficedulae affinis: Uses when singing on the wing odd jerks and gesticulations.

Swallow, Hirundo domestica: In soft sunny weather.

Wren, Pa.s.ser troglodytes: Sometimes from bush to bush.

Birds that breed most early in these parts:

Raven, Corvus: Hatches in February and March.

Song-thrush, t.u.r.dus: In March.