iSSs-J Uk'knki.i, on the Singing of Birds. I4Q 



which was perplexing to us both. It clearly suggested the song 

 of the little Field Sparrow {Spizella ftitsilla), but the locality 

 was not one which that bird would be likely to frequent. With 

 much interest we approached the singer, half expecting to note 

 the occurrence of a rare species. The author of our excitement 

 was a Song Sparrow, evidently wholly unconscious that it was 

 not singing after the manner of its fellows. 



Melospiza palustris. Swamp Sparrow. 



Although a simple, unpretentious trill in April, from some 

 wet meadow, bog, or reedy marsh, always first tells me of the 

 presence of the Swamp Sparrow, it cannot be said that the bird 

 arrives in song ; for the nature of the places it inhabits, with its 

 retiring disposition, might well keep the secret of its presence 

 until it chooses to make itself known. It is probable, however, 

 that, like most birds, it comes to us in song. Dates of first songs 

 extend from April 4 to 24, but most often fall after the middle of 

 the month." 



Early April songs are exceptional, and not improbably are 

 from birds which have remained over winter; as in several 

 seaspns after such early songs it has been a week or two before 

 the species was heard again. 



The song of the Swamp Sparrow comes up from the swamps 

 and marshes until early August, then it becomes less frequent. 

 Usually it ceases about the middle of the month, sometimes a 

 little before, but not nnfrequently it continues later, and 

 I have heard songs even so late as early September. About 

 a month of silence now ensues ; then the species comes 

 again into voice. My record gives dates for the recommence- 

 ment of singing from September 11 (?) and 18, to 2S. The 

 time of final cessation is carried into October — 15th and 17th 

 are latest dates ; but often the song is not heard after the first 

 part of the month. In this supplementary season of song, sing- 

 ing is by no means general, and is usually confined to the early 

 morning hours. But the birds seem more ambitious in their 

 vocalism than earlier in the year. In the spring and summer 

 the song is a simple monotone ; in the autumn this is often varied, 

 and extended with accessory notes. A few preliminary c/ri'fls, 

 merging into a fine trill, introduce the run of notes which con- 



