86 LYRISTS OF A SUBURB. 



A New England writer on birds requested me, 

 some time ago, to describe the song of the white- 

 crowned sparrow for his benefit, as he had never 

 heard it. He added, further, that some of the 

 books declare it to be much like the song of the 

 white-throated sparrow, so that the two can scarcely 

 be distinguished. No careful student would ever 

 confound the lyrical performances of the two birds. 

 They are different in tone, expression, and arrange- 

 ment of the syllables. The song of the white- 

 throat is a quaver or tremolo from beginning to 

 end, while the notes of the white-crown are through- 

 out firm and clear. The latter part of the white- 

 throat's lay is a sort of triple triad, which Dr. 

 Wheaton represents thus : " A-hody^ d-hody^ d-bodyy 

 There is nothing of the kind in the lay of the white- 

 crown, whose closing trill is less striking and 

 characteristic. 



If I were compelled to say which of these songsters 

 should be awaided the piilm, I should be somewhat 

 nonplussed, but think I should render the verdict as 

 follows: If the closing trill of the white-crown's 

 song were as melodious as the opening syllables, 

 he would, I think, distance his rival ; but since he 

 does not end as well as he begins, the impression 

 left b}^ his cai'ol is not quite so pleasing as that 



