WESTERN BIRDS Chat 



the Chat was a novelty where many of the others were 

 common occurrences. 



Although the Chat imitates other birds, his song can 

 never be mistaken for anything else. To be sure, if only 

 one part of it were heard the listener might pass along 

 with the thought that some man was whistling to his 

 dog, since to me the most beautiful part of this strange 

 song is a clear liquid whistle easily imitated by a human. 

 But the bird never stops with that whistle. Pausing for 

 breath he gives an oriole note, or perhaps that of a 

 Cuckoo or Magpie, or perchance, gives a gruff little 

 bark not unlike that of a small canine. This song is not 

 woven together as does the Mockingbird his medley, but 

 is given in a measured way, with a pause between each 

 change, so that it becomes a vocal performance, rather 

 than a musical song. It is this method of singing that 

 makes one always sure which bird is the guilty party. 



The dwellers of the south lands, east and west, know 

 that the Mockingbirds sometimes sing all night. Few 

 other species do this, but our rollicking jester sleeps not, 

 and to drive away dull care he pours forth his discon- 

 nected lay. 



It is known that the Oven-bird has a twilight flight 

 song and that the Yellow-throat sometimes indulges in 

 singing while on wing, but the Chat gives a performance 

 which is unique in the Warbler world and has made him 

 famous. 



Leaping from some high perch he flutters upward, his 

 head thrown back and his long legs dangling below. As 

 he flies he pours forth his love-song to his listening mate 

 below. When the highest point of his upward flight has 

 been reached he pauses in air with wings beating rapidly 

 and legs still dangling. Then the song dies away and 

 he comes tumbling down in "aerial somersaults" until he 

 is lost to view in the foliage. It is a sight never to be 

 forgotten and is, I believe, as much appreciated by the 

 human beholder as the lady-love for whom it is intended. 



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