The Audubon Societies 385 



in enunciation, and are very distinctly grouped into separate rhythms or 

 phrases by time-intervals of varying length. 



The Yellow-throated Vireo sings at a somewhat lower pitch, its notes are 

 given more slowly, and the two rhythms comprising its colorful, antiphonal 

 song are separated by a strikingly long time-interval. The Warbling Vireo, 

 unlike either of the others, weaves as it were, an almost unbroken circle of 

 song, of varying pitch, rapidity, and rhythm. It is easy to recognize this song 

 on account of its lack of time-intervals. 



Turning to the four birds which it has been proposed that we study this 

 coming year, namely, the Robin, Crow, Downy Woodpecker, and House 

 Sparrow, we shall find that with regard to their notes and songs, there is much 

 for us to learn. Any person who can at all times of the year and in all places 

 recognize a Robin by its song, in reality knows a great deal about bird-music, 

 for the Robin has a surprisingly varied number of notes and a rich song com- 

 parable with those of the best bird musicians. 



The Crow seems to have far less song than its near relative, the Blue Jay, 

 but it is capable of such a remarkable feat as actually talking, and when you 

 have heard a Crow speak once I am sure you will never forget it. In the 

 animal-house in Lincoln Park, Chicago, there lived for some years a tame, 

 lame Crow which surprised many a passer-by by saying: "Holloa!" or 

 "Popper!" Young Crows utter peculiar notes, quite deceptive to the untrained 

 ear, while Fish Crows puzzle all except those who have made a thorough 

 study of their calls. 



The Downy Woodpecker, we know, is not a true song-bird, but it has a 

 characteristic series of notes, dear to the ear of all who roam the woods, espe- 

 cially during those months when bird-music is at low ebb. As for the House 

 Sparrow, it belongs to a family of remarkable singers, for the most part, and 

 is itself capable of imitating the notes of some other birds, at least, certain 

 House Sparrows kept with Canaries have been known to imitate the 

 latter's songs. Occasionally one hears a musical twitter from a House Spar- 

 row, quite different from its ordinary unpleasing chatter. Keep these birds 

 in mind day by day. 



It has been worth the while of several well-known students to make a 

 study of bird-music, and as a result we have at our disposal some helpful 

 books and lectures on this difficult subject. One new undertaking of interest 

 is the publication of a collection of 'Bird-songs' and 'Flower-songs' by a 

 teacher in one of our conservatories of music. The composer writes that the 

 more he studies the subject, the more convinced he has become "that there 

 are great possibilities for interesting children in birds through bird-song when 

 presented in some such form" as the songs to which reference has just been 

 made. "In fact," he adds, "I find that some of the songs which I have written 

 do actually serve as aids in identifying the birds." 



Although it is impossible to convey bird-music with absolute correctness 



