U) WARHI.KK SONGS. 



ble each other more than species of the same genus. But it 

 must be said that the closest resemblances anywhere found do 

 lie within the genus, and between the species which are placed 

 side b)^ side in classification. An artificial key to the songs 

 would therefore group the species as unnaturally structurally' 

 as an artificial key to their colors. But let us defer further 

 discus.sion of variability until the study of the several species 

 again brings it into prominence. 



We have become somewhat biased, I am afraid, in our 

 opinion that among the birds song belongs only to the males. 

 In large measure that is undoubtedly true, but it is not 

 universally true. The female Redstart sings at least one of 

 the variations of the male, and I have heard a feeble song 

 from the female Maryland Yellow- throat. The female Audo- 

 bon's Warbler is said to sing. I have suspected the female 

 Yellow- Warbler and the female Oven-bird of it. 



