294 A MOMBH'S MUSIC. 
orosbeaks’ own, and that, instead of three, there 
were at least twice that number of these bril- 
lant strangers in the grove. Altogether, the 
half hour was one of very enjoyable excitement 3. 
and when, later in the evening, I sat down to 
my note-book, I started off abruptly in a hor- 
tatory vein, — “* Always take another walk!” 
In the morning, naturally enough, I again 
turned my steps toward the chestnut grove. 
The rose-breasts were still there, and one of them 
earned my thanks by singing on the wing, fly- 
ing slowly —half-hovering, as it were — and 
singing the ordinary song, but more continu- ° 
ously than usual. That afternoon one of them 
was in tune at the same time with a robin, af- 
fording me the desired opportunity for a direct 
comparison. ‘It is really wonderful,” my rec- 
ord says, “ how nearly alike the two songs are ; 
but the robin’s tone is plainly inferior, — less 
mellow and full. In general, too, his strain is 
pitched higher; and, what perhaps is the most 
striking point of difference, it frequently ends 
with an attempt at a note which is a little out 
of reach, so that the voice breaks.” (This last 
defect, by the bye, the robin shares with his 
cousin the wood thrush, as already remarked. ) 
A few days afterwards, to confirm my own im- 
pression about the likeness of the two songs, I 
_ called the attention of a friend with whom I was 
