2 C 2 Bicknell on the Singing of Birds. [ July 



passed with a splendid foreign cousin of these trees, the Japan 

 quince, — that brilliant flowering shrub that flames about lawns 

 and gardens in early May, and that finds a rival brightness when 

 the Fire-bird busies itself among its scarlet blossoms. 



On their arrival these Orioles are particularly vivacious and 

 noisy, and though their spirits appear soon to subside they con- 

 tinue in full note. But through most of July they are feeble- 

 voiced and often silent. There is, however, no strict silent-period, 

 for in some summers they are less quiet than in others, and even 

 when most reticent they seem unable to restrain occasional 

 imperfect song-notes. But the lapse of song in mid-summer un- 

 doubtedly points to an illy-defined silent-period, for full song is 

 resumed in August. In the latter month, chiefly in its third 

 quarter, their notes are frequent in the early morning and become 

 as full-toned as in spring, at times seeming to be more extended, 

 even as the bird's plumage is brighter. Still, at this season a 

 few simple notes is a more usual expression than the full song. 

 The latter I hear last in August, from the 5th to 27th. The 

 simpler notes have always closed my i-ecord of the presence of 

 the bird — August 19 to September 6. 



Mr. William Brewster gives me the following notes on the 

 Baltimore Oriole as observed at Cambridge, Mass. : — 



"Through late July and early August they are silent and retir- 

 ing, but with the first cool mornings, generally about August 20, 

 the male begins singing again and flashes in and out among the 

 leaves with all the vivacity of June. His plumage now is even 

 brighter than in spring. At this season he sings only in the 

 early morning." 



Scolecophagus ferrugineus. Rusty Blackbird. 



Sings in the spring during its stay, which is longer than that 

 of any other migratory bird — sometimes from early March till 

 mid-May — and in the autumn from its arrival in September until 

 the great body of the species has passed south. Latest songs are 

 in October, from the 20th to 30th. "Imperfect song-notes 

 November 5," is down in my record. 



In the mild winter of 1879-80, these Blackbirds were observed 

 at different times, and their song-notes heard January 18 and 

 February 29. 



