I 56 SUMMER BIRDS. 



the same species near New York City that I could not feel complete 

 satisfaction regarding the identity of the birds heard singing until a 

 specimen had been secured. Not only in the notes of the strain, but 

 also in the manner and character of its delivery was this difference 

 noticeable. In the Lower Hudson \ alley the song of the Purple 

 Finch, ill summer resident birds, is rich and voluble, with the notes of 

 definite character and number. Wq have, perhaps, no bird melody 

 more expressive of passionate emotion than the outbursts from this 

 species at the height of its breeding season. Especially is this true 

 when, as is often the case, it rises full of song high over the trees, 

 thence descending with undiminished melody to the earth. At such 

 times its song is repeated with a precipitancy which allows no per- 

 ceptible pause, and this strain may be supported for many moments 

 until, the notes becoming confused, the performer ceases as if from 

 breathlessness or absolute exhaustion. No approach to this exu- 

 berance of song was heard in the Catskills, all the notes of the species 

 there being weak and inexpressive and the songs brief and of uncer- 

 tain character. Somewhat similiar songs are often heard near New 

 York when the birds are passing on their migration ; still, it remains 

 to be demonstrated that there actually exists the geographical variation 

 in song which the facts here given seem to indicate. 



Loxia curTirostra Americana (Wils.) Coues. American Red Crossbill. 

 On the high ridge leading to the summit of Slide Mountain, Mr. 

 Pearsall observed a pair of Crossbills on the 7th day of June ; '• they 

 were apparently feeding on young balsam-tree buds and were very 

 restless and wild for the species." On the 2 5th day of the same June, 

 Dr. Fisher and I, while separated on the mountain top, both distinctly 

 heard the unmistakable notes of a passing flock of these birds 



Astragaliuus tristis (L.) Cab. American Goldfinch. 



Common, 

 Passerculiis saudviceusis savaua (Wils.) Ridgw. Savanna Sparrow. 



In full song, and evidently breeding, in some high upland pastures 

 (about 2,5oo feet altitude) near Summit. 



Pooecetes gramineus (Gm ) Baird. \"esper Sparrow. 



The most common Sparrow ; frequenting stony pastures and hill- 

 sides. A nest with a single fresh egg, June 8, 1880. 



The song of this bird remains associated with the evening twilight 

 when often it faintly reaches the listener in the valley from far up 

 some barren mountain side. 



Note. — ZonotricJiia albi colli sVi^^. White-throated Sparrow. Among 

 the notes of my brothers, who were never in the Catskills earlier 



