18 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. 



Song. Often in tlie early da3's of May in Massachusetts, we 

 hear the first notes of the White-throated Sparrow, but it 

 is very seLlora that the fine melodious song which has rendered 

 this bii'd so famous throughout New England, is given here at 

 length. To fully appreciate their musical efforts one must 

 visit the evergreen forests of the north, where in the early 

 mornings cf June, when the purple mist hangs over the 

 mountains, where the delicate ferns, which wave ])eside the 

 brooks are sparkling with dew drops, when the freshly grown 

 leaves of the overhanging foliage are showing their lovliest 

 green, the melodious strains of the V/hite-throated Sparrows 

 may be heard to perfection. This lay consists of several sweet 

 prolonged whistles, and is somewhat plaintive, but very pleas- 

 ing. Not only do our little musicians perform through the 

 cooler hours of the morning, but the sultry noon-time also finds 

 them singing. They are more silent when the sun declines 

 toward the west, but begin again in the cool cf evening. 

 Thus they are almxost untiring in their efforts through the day 

 and, as if not satisfied, will frequently burst into full song dur- 

 ing the night. But when the rocky mountain tops are gleam- 

 ing in the brilliant moon-light nnd the silvery beams are 

 finding their way through the openings in the shadowy for- 

 ests, illuminating the little glades which form the homes of 

 the Sparrows, they are especially musical. Then when all is 

 silent, save the occasional melancholy notes of the Whip- 

 poor-Avill or the distant hoot of some Owl, the effect pro- 

 duced by this incomparable song is surpassingly beautiful. 



