186 Moors, s • [ April 



must compare him with birds like the Mockingbird, Thrasher and 



Winter Wren, all of them singers of the joy of life. None of these, 

 famous as they are. possess as tine a tone as the Fox Sparrow's 

 or revel is such matchless melodies. The Mockingbird and the 

 Thrasher repeat over and over insignificant phrases of from two to 

 five notes, until one wearies of waiting for a real melody. Even 

 the rippling melodies of the Winter Wren are spoiled by jerking 

 rhythm and acrobatic antics. Hut the Fox Sparrow is aln 

 beyond criticism. His is a dignified manner, a big voice, a tine 

 tone, a consummate sense of rhythm and a splendid series of danc- 

 ing melodies. 



Having praised him so much, one must compare him with 

 his great relative, the Song Sparrow, our finest melodist. And 

 here our larger finch must take second place in one thing and that 

 important: he laeks versatility. Each individual has but one 

 song and any song however tine it may be. is bound to weary after 

 much repetition. The Song Sparrow on the other hand is master 

 of innumerable melodies and every one of his kind has a large 

 repertoire. In no other department of music, however, is the Fox 

 Sparrow inferior. His tone is finer, his voice is bigger and pitched 

 lower, so that it is a more mellow medium for the expression of 

 sentiment, ami finally his melodies themselves, though not so vari- 

 ous, are more elaborate, interesting and affecting. To tell the 

 truth the Fox Sparrow's song is not at all sparrow-like and bears 

 only a faint resemblance to the larger finches. In nearly every 

 way he is more like the Thrushes, particularly the Hermit, with 

 whom he has a remarkable affinity. He chooses the same sort of 

 song-site, he mounts to it in the same cautious way, throughout 

 the song-period he exhibits the same calm dignity ami his rusty 

 coat and large sise contribute to the striking similarity. The song 

 itself opens with almost identical call-notes, is followed by a simi- 

 lar contrast of soft and loud tones and in a general way is the same 

 sort of prominent, ringing compelling music. Strangest of all the 

 tone quality, though not quite so rich, is so similar that the first 

 few days in the Magdalens, I mistook it at a distance for the Her- 

 mit's! Later study of song-construction made it possible for me 

 to distinguish this song at any distance. It is in song-construction 

 that the Hermit is his undoubted master, as he is of all other birds. 



