iSSs-] Bickneli. on the Singing oj Birds. I _|^ 



early to become impatient: for spring. It is always read} 

 with song for the first mild, sunshiny days after the middle of 

 February, and I have often heard its initial notes on or about the 

 32(1 of the month. Sometimes, however, it docs not begin to 

 sing until March, and in 1S77, when this month was decidedly 

 inclement, the first day of song was March 21. My latest record 

 for song is April [3, but in some seasons it is not heard later 

 than the end of March. 



In the fall, singing is unusual, but I have several times heard 

 songs in November, once so late as the 17th. 



Isolated dates for singing are January [I, and December 12, 

 18S0; on the latter occasion the song was feeble and imperfect, 

 but on the former it was complete, and several times repealed. 



Besides its customary chip, the Tree Sparrow has a low- 

 double note, which is uttered mainly while the birds are feeding. 

 This simple and slightly musical sound from many birds busily 

 feeding together produces a low conversational chirping, so 

 pleasantly modulated as to seem like an unconscious expression 

 of contented companionship. 



Spizella domestica. Chipping Sparrow. 



The familiar song of this domestic species we hear in almost 

 every kind of weather, from the bird's arrival in early April on 

 into the summer, usually with no evident falling off until towards 

 the end of July. Then singing becomes less general with the 

 species, and it may cease in the first week of August, though 

 more often, perhaps, prolonged into the second week. My 

 dates for final songs are from the 5th to the 15th, with a single 

 record of the iSth. 



Almost two months may now elapse before the song of the 

 Chipping .Spanow is heard again ; then singing is transiently 

 resumed. This supplementary song-period occupies a few days 

 only. I have never known it to last a full week in any one year, 

 however abundant the birds might be. The greatest range in the 

 dates of several years is from September 24 to October 10. The 

 first songs of this latter period are sometimes imperfect. 



Spizella pusilla. Field Sparrow. 



This Sparrow also arrives in song, except, as with other birds, 

 in the case of individuals of premature advent. Singing con- 



