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



Myiarchus crinitus. Great-crested Flycatcher. 



In July the voice of this bird begins to fail, and a silent-period 

 is nearly approached, if, indeed, it be not actually reached, in 

 trying summers. 



During this time of semi-silence the usual utterance is a single 

 note, which is often faint, and with a mournful intonation as it 

 sounds at slow intervals among the high trees of the woods. 



Towards the end of August there is noticeable on the part of the 

 birds an attempt to regain their earlier vocal prowess, but they 

 soon return to the low note which they learned in July. This 

 is their farewell, and is in strange contrast to the harsh outcry 

 with which they came upon the scene. 



Sayornis phcebe. * Phosbe-bird. 



The well-known Phoebe comes to us in the spring the first of 

 the Flycatchers; the first, in fact, of our strictly summer birds 

 — those that never show themselves in winter — and for this rea- 

 son, as well as because it actually comes to us and need not be 

 sought, it always meets with a special welcome among the 

 evidences of the advancing season in March. According to 

 custom, on the first morning of its arrival its song comes in 

 through the windows from gable-peak or other familiar perch 

 about the grounds, and not till then does spring seem really to 

 have begun. But its song is one of those which appeals to the 

 sympathies rather than to the ear, fully making up in sincerity 

 what it lacks of music. Still, it must be reluctantly admitted that 

 later, when more graceful and gifted songsters are with us, the 

 plain Phoebe does appear a trifle unsophisticated, and its notes 

 may grow monotonous. Nevertheless their jerky character 

 seems to be held in high opinion by their author, and is admirably 

 seconded by its tail. 



Usually the Phoebe-bird must be waited for until after the 

 middle of March ; but it may put in an appearance any time be- 

 tween the first and last days of the month — March 5 to 30. 



* Cf. Stejneger, Auk, Vol. II, No. I, p. 51. 



