I C^O Bicknell on tlie Singing of Birds. [April 



stitutea the usual song, which now terminates with a few slower 

 somewhat liquid tones. .This seems to be the fullest attainment 

 of the bird, and is often only partially or imperfectly ren- 

 dered. 



Passerella iliaca. Fox-colored Sparrow. 



This fine Sparrow, "the noblest Roman of them all," sings 

 for us both in the spring and in the autumn. My records are 

 comprised between the following dates : February 29 and April 

 13 in the spring; and October 2S and November 17 in the fall. 

 At neither season are they in song when they first come, unless 

 possibly in a spring when the arrival is late ; if they come excep- 

 tionally early, singing may be considerably postponed. 



In the fall they are sometimes in voice soon after making their 

 appearance ; but it is usual for them to be present some time 

 before their mellow notes add their charm to the late autumn. 

 Singing often lasts as late as the second week of November, but 

 rarely later, even though small flocks of the birds remain till the 

 end of the month. 



Like many other birds this Sparrow seems indisposed to sing 

 unless present in some numbers, and in seasons wdien it is un- 

 common, whether spring or fall, its song may not be heard. 



Pipilo erythrophthalmus. Chewink. 



The Towee Bunting, though it joins the bird community 

 promptly at the first good chance after the middle of April, 

 is sometimes a little tardy in joining the choir; and, if it meets 

 with discouraging weather, is satisfied for a time with simply 

 announcing itself by name. Later its short and energetic song 

 becomes a striking fenture of the bird chorus about the hedgerows, 

 and bushy borders of woods, fields and swamps. 



Singing becomes decadent towards the" end of July, or early in 

 August, and closes at any time from the first to the middle of the 

 month — August 4-18, 20, 22. There is no well-defined second 

 song-period, but I have heard its song several times in September, 

 and once in October (October 7, 1SS1), when it was several times 

 repeated. 



In late summer, after singing has ceased, the chezvink notes 

 become weak and infrequent, and may be wholly intermitted for 



