FAMILY Fringillidz. 
characterized by a delicate overtone. To these facts we 
must add the important one that, for an apparently anx- 
ious and restless bird always seeming to be in a hurry (at 
least during the courting period), the tempo of his song is 
quite moderate. This description is about as unlike the 
music of the Robin asit could possibly be. Robin’s notes 
are all emphatically staccato, few slide—and these are ac- 
cidental, hurried, and without expression, — only occa- 
sionally are any characterized by what might be termed 
a crude overtone, and all progress in a lively, bustling 
way without any regard for moderation. 
Here is a Rose-breasted Grosbeak’s song obtained in 
Campton, N. H., in June, 1903. I do not think it is 
radically different from others which follow, yet in su. 
perficial appearance it might suggest the Robin’s song 
while these others do not; if so, the reason may be at- 
tributed to the tying together of the notes in groups of 
twos and threes: 
Observe that the strain is in the minor key, yet it has a 
dancing rhythm which gives it a character of sprightli- 
uiess. Now compare this with the next record in another 
and a major key, and the family resemblance of the two 
songs will at once become apparent, notwithstanding the 
fact that this second record does not in the remotest de- 
gree suggest the Robin’s song. \ 
132 
