BIRDS OF THE GARDEN AND ORCHARD. 17 



This bird is somewhat periodical in his singing habits, 

 confining his lays in some measure to certain hours of 

 the day and conditions of the weather. The Song-Sparrow 

 sings about equally during every hour from morning till 

 night, and the different performers do not always join in 

 concert. This habit renders the little songster more com- 

 panionable, but at the same time causes his notes to be 

 less regarded than those of the Vesper-Bird, who sings 

 in concert with others of his kind, and at more regular 

 periods. 



The Vesper-Bird joins at day-spring with all his kin- 

 dred in the general anthem of morn, after which he sings 

 occasionally during the day, especially at an hour when 

 it is still and cloudy, but most fervently during the sun's 

 decline until dusk. Hence is derived the name it bears, 

 from its evening hymn, or vespers. There are particular 

 states of the weather that call out the songsters of this 

 species and make them tuneful, as when rain is suddenly 

 followed by sunshine, or when a clear sky is suddenly 

 darkened by clouds, presenting an occasional morn and 

 an occasional even. In this respect these birds are not 

 peculiar, but by singing together in numbers their habit 

 is more noticeable. We seldom hear one of them singing 

 alone. When one begins, all others in the vicinity im- 

 mediately join him. 



The usual resorts of the Vesper-Bird are the hayfields 

 and pastures, from which lie has derived the name of 

 Grass-Finch. His voice is heard frequently by rustic 

 roadsides, where he picks up a considerable part of his 

 subsistence ; and it is remarkable that this songster more 

 frequently sings from a fence, a post, or a rail than from 

 a tree or a bush. This is the little bird that so generally 

 serenades us during an evening walk at a short distance 

 from the town, and not so near the woods as the haunts 

 of the Thrushes. When we go out into the country on 



