A MUSICAL KEY. 
acter. The explanatory diagram showing the values of 
notes demonstrates also the value of the slur in connec- 
tion with the syllables Pea-bod-y which the Peabody 
Bird sings. In the case of this slur connecting two notes 
separated by an interval as in the Wood Pewee’s song, 
it indicates that the whistle touches by even gradations 
all the intermediate tones. On the contrary, a simple 
dot over a note expresses the idea that the tone must be 
given in a percussive manner.* My ‘‘sawtooth” sign is 
borrowed in part from the trill sign in music, it is in- 
tended to express a double tone, which may be demon- 
strated by whistling the note indicated and humming 
simultaneously the bass tone at G or G flat, the second 
one below middle C, or, for that matter, any deep tone 
convenient to the whistler. The songs of the Scarlet 
Tanager and Yellow-throated Vireo are strongly char- 
acterized by this overtone. 
That various birds sing in different keys and in differ- 
ent measures of time goes without saying. The key, 
however, is a very unimportant matter; but it is neces- 
sary to know how it is expressed. 
The natural key is the octave C toC (with its inter- 
mediate harmonic tones). 
Key of G=1 sharp, begins a fifth above C, at G, and 
sharps the F. 
Key of D = 2 sharps, begins a fifth above G, at D, and 
sharps F and C. 
Key of A = 3 sharps, begins a fifth above D, at A, and 
sharps C, F, and G. 
Key of E=4 sharps, begins a fifth above A, at E, and 
sharps F, G, C, and D. 
Key of B= 5 sharps, begins a fifth abeve E, at B, and 
sharps C, D, F, G, and A. 
Kev of F=1 flat, begins a fifth below C, at F, and 
flats B. 
Key of B flat = 2 flats, begins a fifth below F, at B flat, 
and flats B and E. 
* In afew instances a dot, and a dash connecting two notes appear 
together ; this indicates that the tone is whistled suddenly and is 
seft as suddenly for the next one, so the twoare pretty closely com 
wected. (See the Oriole’s music.) 
¥¥XI 
