PAPERS ON ZOOLOGY 177 



greatest variety of calls and song:s of auv of the woodpeck- 

 ers in our part of the country. He is especially eloquent 

 and versatile during the season of courtshii). 



The notes of the purple martin are very attractive. He 

 is perhaps the most ambitious of the swallows from the 

 standpoint of song, though the tree swallow is a close sec- 

 ond. The aerial twittering of the chimney swift is a delight 

 to the bird-lover. There is not much music in it, but it 

 expresses the joy of motion. 



Perhaps few people know that we have a bird in this 

 locality whose song resembles that of the far-famed 

 European skylark. This is the horned lark, the only repre- 

 sentative of the true larks to be found in this country. Its 

 song is not a continuous shower of notes like that of the 

 skylark. It is broken and fragmentary, but its notes will 

 recall those of the skylark to one who has heard that bird 

 beloved of poets. 



The catbird has not received the recognition due to its 

 vocal abilities. Yet it is a singer of gi-eat charm and versa- 

 tility. Its contralto song is full of variety and sweetness, 

 and is much more often heard during the singing season 

 than the catcall from which it derives its name. 



One of the most remarkable singers for its size is the 

 kinglet. This diminutive bird pours forth a wonderfully 

 sweet, lyrical strain. Its call is a tiny, high-pitched note. 

 In the spring when the trees are visited by these little 

 creatures, one would tliiuk the branches were hung witli 

 fairy bells as these tinkling notes fill the air with sparks 

 of sound. 



The mouse-like little brown creeper has a funny, creaky 

 little callnote. And when the spring days begin to grow 

 warm it strings its callnotes together into a creaking little 

 song. 



I shall barely touch upon the numerous warbler family, 

 for that way lies madness. For the unleisured who long to 

 put these elusive songs and birds together each spring 

 brings on a fresh attack. A few of the warbler songs are 

 quite distinctive and easily remembered. But these are 

 the exceptions. 



There are a few birds who are especially dear to us 

 owing to the fact that they continue to sing despite the 

 growing heat of the summer. 



