Bird Notes and their Value 



not so much what they do that engrosses 

 my attention just now, as the wonderful 

 amount of melodious noise with which 

 they enhven their labors. 



Some of it, without any doubt, is simply 

 music. But much more appears to have 

 definite meaning and purpose beyond this. 



As I listen I count seven distinct strains 

 or sets of notes which they use repeatedly; 

 and these, furthermore, are marked by 

 many minor inflections and variations, 

 all plainly forming the medium through 

 which they communicate the one with the 

 other. It must be admitted, of course, 

 that it is all a very crude sort of language; 

 nevertheless it seems entirely sufficient to 

 enable them to get along quite smoothly, 

 delightfully, and with a perfect understand- 

 ing of what each is to do, as they put 

 together their rough, though strongly con- 

 structed habitation of mud and hay. 



Moreover, I know well, from a long 

 acquaintance with the species, that the 

 warbling conversation of this pair con- 

 stitutes only part of the general fund of 



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