‘198 BIRDS

the nightingale, who got nineteen for everything but
sprightliness ; in that particular he only got fourteen,
being easily beaten by the skylark, the goldfinch,
and the canary ; in mellowness he was equalled: by
the blackcap, in plaintiveness by the solitary thrush,
which was perhaps the ring-ouzel, in compass by the
canary, and in execution also by the canary. Second

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BLACKCAP

on the list to him in total number of marks was the
linnet, the canary coming third and the blackcap
fourth.

Absurd as the proceeding may appear, the
result curiously confirmed the popular verdict.
Everywhere the chief song-birds are found among the
thrush and nightingale group, and everywhere the