SONG-BIRDS. Warblers 



This Thrush, which, until comparatively lately, has been 

 considered out of its range in New England, is a fairly com- 

 mon summer resident all through this section and as far 

 north in the state as Say brook. It differs chiefly from the 

 Water Thrush in its superior size and heavier bill and the 

 buff colouring of its lower parts ; but its principal point of 

 identification at long range is the greater richness and mel- 

 ody of its song. 



The past summer, in late June, a male of this species 

 spent an entire morning in a secluded part of the garden, 

 in some bushes near the pool. It was after the breeding- 

 season (unless this individual was either belated or about to 

 raise a second brood), but the song retained all of its spring 

 volubility. The song first attracted me, and, after crawling 

 cautiously through the tall grass, I discovered the singer. 



He was perching near by, in the lower branches of a 

 scrubby arbor-vitse. He did not sing continuously, but, 

 after waiting a few minutes, took up his refrain. Droop- 

 ing his wings, he threw back his head, his smooth throat 

 swelling with pent-up music. 



In a few minutes, he went down to the pool, took a few 

 sips of water, and amused himself by running over the thick 

 water-lily leaves, at the same time snatching insects from 

 their edges. He next took a vigorous bath, sprinkling the 

 water about with great force, and then retired into a clethra 

 bush to plume himself. This completed, he sang once more, 

 and he seemed to have a joyous yet serious message to im- 

 part, rather than a flood of gossip. 



In the swamp in secluded recesses 



A shy and hidden bird is warbling a song. 



Sing on ! sing on, you gray-brown bird I 

 Sing from the swamps, the recesses, pour 



Your chant from the bushes. 

 liquid and free and tender I 

 wild and loose to my soul 1 

 O wondrous singer ! 



— Walt Whitman. 

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