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EVOLUTION OF BIRD-SONG 



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The American robin, which in form closely re- 

 sembles the female blackbird, and which I have 

 heard on many occasions, is even a poorer singer 

 than the mistle-thrush, for its strains usually contain 

 only two distinct notes, repeated many times in 

 succession. The following are seven of its strains, 

 heard in or near Vancouver : 



I have always been much struck with the correct- 

 ness of the time-accent observable in the music of 

 blackbirds, thrushes, and skylarks. I have en- 

 deavoured to reproduce this, where possible, in the 

 Appendix, by dividing the strains or songs of differ- 

 ent individuals by means of bars. The songs were 

 heard between March and August 1888, and the 

 earlier records in relation to each species appear 

 first. Many of them were repeated several times in 

 succession. Double bars are placed between each 

 strain. The music should be played (or whistled) 

 in quicker time than that indicated in the stave. 



