32 HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS. 



while the Savannas, hke tinkhng cymbals, and the 

 Hudsonians, the triangles, made the accompaniment. 



May 1. — The purple finches, or American linnets 

 {Carjpodacus piirj>iireiis)^ are somewhat irregular in their 

 spring migrations. A few usually put in an appear- 

 ance earl}^ in March, but most of them come several 

 weeks later. Before the leaves start, or the early trees 

 blossom, they are just as irregular in their habits of 

 singing. There are few birds endowed with greater 

 musical capabilities than the linnets; yet, like other 

 eminent artists, their singing is often variable and capri- 

 cious. There is something very queer and interesting 

 about their varied musical performances. Hidden in 

 the leafy branches of the trees by the roadside, or near 

 dwellings, their low warbles are as sweet and peaceful 

 as those of the warbling vireos, which they much 

 resemble ; but, perched conspicuously on the topmost 

 twig of a tree, they indulge in a much more ambitious 

 carol, louder and of several bars. The two songs are so 

 entirely different in theme and execution that one not Avell 

 acquainted with their songs might easily believe them 

 to emanate from birds of different species. Sometimes 

 one will chant the song for an hour without moving 

 from his perch. On the wing, and especially at mating 

 time, these birds have a still finer song, more brilliant, 

 vehement and rapturous. I remember one of these 

 remarkable performances, and at its best. I heard the 

 two or three call notes of the finches, and immediately 

 two birds flew from a tree near which I was standing, 



