Nightingale, Luscinia. “In shadiest covert hid.” Milton.
Woodlark, Alauda arborea. Suspended in mid air.
Less reed-sparrow, Passer arundinaceus minor. Among reeds and willows.

I should now proceed to such birds as continue to sing after Midsummer, but, as they are rather numerous, they would exceed the bounds of this paper: besides, as this is now the season for remarking on that subject, I am willing to repeat my observations on some birds concerning the continuation of whose song I seem at present to have some doubt.

I am, etc.

LETTER II.

Selborne, Nov. 2nd, 1769.

Dear Sir,—When I did myself the honour to write to you about the end of last June on the subject of natural history, I sent you a list of the summer birds of passage which I have observed in this neighbourhood, and also a list of the winter birds of passage: I

[a/]mentioned besides those soft-billed birds that stay with us the winter through in the south of England, and those that are remarkable for singing in the night.

According to my proposal, I shall now proceed to such birds (singing birds strictly so called) as continue in full song till after Midsummer, and shall range them somewhat in the order in which they first begin to open as the spring advances.

RAII NOMINA.
1. Woodlark, Alauda arborea. In January, and continues to sing through all the summer and autumn.
2. Song thrush, Turdus simpliciter dictus. In February, and on to August; re-assume their song in autumn.
3. Wren, Passer troglodytes. All the year, hard frost excepted.
4. Redbreast, Rubecula. Ditto.
5. Hedge-sparrow. Curruca. Early in February to July 10th.
6. Yellow-hammer, Emberiza flava. Early in February, and on through July to August 21st.
7. Skylark, Alauda vulgaris. In February and on to October.
8. Swallow, Hirundo domestica. From April to September.
9. Blackcap, Atricapilla. Beginning of April to July 13th.
10. Titlark, Alauda pratorum. From middle of April to July 16th.
11. Blackbird, Merula vulgaris. Sometimes in February and March, and so on to July 23rd; re-assumes in autumn.
12. Whitethroat, Ficedulæ affinis. In April, and on to July 23rd.
13. Goldfinch, Carduelis. April, and through to September 16th.
14. Greenfinch, Chloris. On to July and August 2nd.
15. Less reed-sparrow. Passer arundinaceus minor. May, on to beginning of July.
16. Common linnet, Linaria vulgaris. Breeds and whistles on till August; re-assumes its note when they begin to congregate in October, and again early before the flocks separate.

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