4 Massachusetts Audubon Society 



BIRD MUSIC. 

 The Bobolink Again. 

 The "Jonathan Gillet" phrasing of the robin's song mentioned in a 

 previous Bulletin has, it seems, been adapted also to the bobolink's melody, 

 according to a reader, who gives it as follows: 



"Bob-o-link, Bob Gillet, 

 Scour the skillet, 

 Scour it white, 

 Scour it bright. 

 Scour it clean." 



Another very charming wording of the bobolink's song will be found 

 in the following letter: 



Editor of Monthly Bulletin: 



Dear Sir: — My grandmother, born in New England in 1812 — used 

 to gurgle the following words in such a way that they sounded more 

 like the bobolink song than any other attempt at imitation which I 

 have heard. "Bob-o-link, Bob-o-link, 



Go see Cicely, Cicely, 



So sweet, so sweet, 



Chee, chee." Emily B. Adams. 



The Song-Sparrow. 



In the January Bulletin of the Massachusetts Audubon Society is an 

 article on the "Folk Lore of Bird Songs." This reminded me of actual 

 Bird Songs, two of which have been a source of pleasure and interest to me 

 for several years. In a shrubbery near my house a song-sparrow has 

 warbled year after year the same refrain, and so individual that, although 

 it cannot be proved, I feel strongly that it has always been the same song- 

 ster; and as each spring came round, my husband and I would joyfully 

 proclaim that our little friend had returned. 



Song No. 1: 



P 



L^ J ^J J '^ i-h-<^-^p!id^r-^ 



At last we noticed a change in the song — it became weaker and shorter, 

 and finally was reduced to the first bar only, and very feeble, but still quite 

 distinct and recognizable. After that year — silence — but a new song started 

 up in the same shrubbery — clear and strong — as follows: 



g ^^ J J J J i I] J. / J i . j1 J 



Can it be a descendant of our old friend? We are hoping that he will 

 favor us again this year when the right time comes. 



Mary B. Hunnewell. 

 P. S. — I fear my music conforms to no rules ! 



