WOOD-PEWEE. 



CONTOPTJS VIEENS. 



THE wood-pewee's few notes, so peculiar, so solemn, so 

 long, so slow and gliding in movement, and so de- 

 vout withal, distinguish its song sharply from that of all 

 other birds, except, perhaps, the song of the titmouse. The 

 effect of the pewee's singing is decidedly religious, remind- 

 ing one of the worship of the " Free-willers," who, long 

 ago, sang their hymns and half sang their prayers and 

 exhortations on the shores of Lake Winipiseogee. The 

 song closes with such unction that the scoffer is com- 

 pelled to join in the final Amen : — 



Slow 



The portamento is used in this song with wonderful 

 skill and power. 



The wood-pewee is a tame bird, yet active and coura- 

 geous. He darts and swoops through the air, frequently 

 snapping up insects on his course. As he swiftly passes, 

 you think you will not see him again ; but he returns, 

 and, alighting not far from the perch that he left, takes 

 up the sacred strain. Does some strange bird happen 

 near at the moment, the devotions are interrupted ; the 



