238 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. 



The notes of the Peto generally partake of the high, 

 echoinof, clear tone of the Baltimore Bird. Among his 

 more extraordinary expressions, I . was struck with 

 the call of 'tohip-tdm-kiUt/ killy, and now and then 

 *w1iip-tdm-killy , with occasionally some variation in the 

 tone and expression, which was very lively and agreeable. 

 The middle syllable {torn) was pronounced in a hollow 

 reverberating tone. In a few minutes after the subject 

 and its variations were finished, in the estimation of the 

 musical performer, he suddenly twisted himself round the 

 branch on which he had sat, with a variety of odd and fan- 

 tastic motions ; and then, in a lower, hoarser, harsh voice, 

 and in a peevish tone, exactly like that of the Jay and the 

 Chicadee, went ddy-ddy-ddy-ddy , and day-day-ddy-day- 

 ddit ; sometimes this loud note changed into one which 

 became low and querulous. On some of these occasions 

 he also called HsMca dee-dee. The jarring call would 

 then change occasionally into kai-tee-did did-dit-did. 

 These peevish notes would often be uttered in anger at 

 being approached ; and then again would perhaps be 

 answered by some neighbouring rival, against whom they 

 appeared levelled in taunt and ridicule, being accom- 

 panied by extravagant gestures. 



Later in the season, in February, when in the lower 

 part of Alabama the mild influence of spring began al- 

 ready to be felt, our favorite, as he gaily pursued the 

 busy tribe of insects, now his principal food, called, as 

 he vaulted restlessly from branch to branch, in an echoing 

 rapid voice, at short intervals, peto-pcto-peto-pcto. This 

 tender call of recognition was at length answered, and 

 continued at intervals for a minute or two ; they then 

 changed their quick call into a slower pjeto peto peto ; and 

 now the natural note passed into the plaintive key, sound- 

 ing like que-dli quc-dli ; then in the same breath a jarring 



