188 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. 



top or weed to another, he utters such a jingling medley 

 of short variable notes, so confused, rapid, and continuous, 

 that it appears almost like the blending song of several 

 different birds. Many of these tones are very agreeable, 

 but they are delivered with such rapidity that the ear can 

 scarcely separate them. The general effect, however, like 

 all the simple efforts of nature, is good, and when several 

 are chanting forth in the same meadow, the concert is 

 very cheerful, though monotonous, and somewhat quaint. 

 Among the few phrases that can be distinguished, the 

 liquid sound of Boh-6-lee, or Bob-n-lhik, Boh-o-Iinke, is 

 very distinct. To give an idea of the variable extent of 

 song, and even an imitation, in some measure, of the 

 chromatic period and air of this familiar and rather fa- 

 vorite resident, the boys of this part of New England 

 make him spout among others, the following ludicrous 

 dunning phrase, as he rises and hovers on the wing 

 near his mate, " 'B6h-6-link, 'Bob-d-Utik, 'Tom Denny 

 ' Tom Denny. — 'Come pay me the two and six pence 

 you've owed more than a year and a half ago ! — 'tshe 

 Hshe 'tshe, 'tsh Hsh 'tshe," modestly diving at the same 

 instant down into the grass as if to avoid altercation. 

 However puerile this odd phrase may appear, it is quite 

 amusing to find how near it approaches to the time, and 

 expression of the notes, when pronounced in a hurried 

 manner. It would be unwise in the naturalist to hold in 

 contempt any thing, however trifling, which might tend to 

 elucidate the simple truth of nature. I therefore give the 

 thing as I find it. This relish for song and merriment, 

 confined wholly to the male, diminishes as the period of 

 incubation advances, and when the brood begin to flutter 

 around their parents and protectors, the song becomes less 

 frequent, the cares of the parents more urgent, and any 

 approach to the secret recess of their helpless family is 



