THE BIRD OF SOCIETY. 101 



truth, when heard away from the crowd a 

 wild, rich strain, bringing memories of the 

 woods in long summer days, the delightful odor 

 of fresh earth and strong vegetable growth. It 

 is impossible to describe, but no bird's song is 

 more expressive of his life, or more suggestive 

 of wild nature. It consists of two strains, 

 each of which is varied. That most commonly 

 heard has been well represented — as I said — 

 by the syllables " h' wa-ker-ee," on an ascend- 

 ing scale. Heard nearer, however, this strain 

 is found to consist always of four notes (one 

 lower in the beginning), and often of six. If 

 the usually heard notes are supposed " do-mi- 

 sol-do," beginning on low C, (which they nearly 

 resemble) the bird varies it by sometimes sing- 

 ing " sol-mi-do-mi-sol-do," in the same octave, 

 and occasionally by throwing in a note be- 

 tween each of the original four. The whole 

 has an indescribable quality, and the final 

 " do " is often a well-executed trill. The sec- 

 ond strain is of similar notes, only in a minor 

 key. If the tones cannot be said to be sweet 

 in themselves, it must be remembered that they 

 are intended for distant effects, and at least 

 they are clear, perfectly suited to the woods, 

 and not unpleasing even in a room. 



But his song is the smallest of the blackbird's 

 utterances. To begin with, is his familiar harsh 



