94 THE STORY OF BIRD-LIFE. 



million of voices at an out-of-the-way spot in the 

 pampas one evening at nine o'clock ; and again 

 how once at noon he heard flock after flock take 

 up their song round the entire circuit of a certain 

 lake, each flock waiting its turn to sing, and only 

 stopping when the duty had been performed." 



The bird's voice then may express anger, re- 

 cognition or mate-hunting call^, or may breathe 

 forth furious challenges, or soft-assurances of love, 

 but none of these need be included under the 

 category of true son?. This brings us to the 

 question, what does the genuine songster mean, 

 why does he sin,-,' ? Opinions on ihis point are 

 by no means in strict harmony. 



The most probable interpretation seems to 

 be that the song, like that of the nightingale 

 for instance, is primarily for the purpose of 

 winning a mate, and for her delectation during 

 the period of incubation. It seems certain that 

 there exists a great deal of rivalry amongst the 

 males of each particular species in the neighbour- 

 hood as to which shall slug best, the judges being 

 the females of the same species settled near the 

 trial courts. These select the finest performers 

 and leave the rest to rise to greater proficiency 

 — or remain bachelors. The fact that they sing 

 before the pairing season actually begins, as well 

 as later in the year, need not, as some suppose, 

 militate against this view. Neither does the fact 

 that a bird will sing immediately after its nest 

 has been plundered serve as hostile evidence. 

 It may pour forth its soul in anguish as well 

 as in joy. We may not detect the diff'erence in 

 the two cases, but it may nevertheless be there. 



