io6 THE BIRDS ABOUT Us. 



song to words in our language, this one has received 

 several, and as all are objectionable, or for some 

 other reason, they are spoken of now in genteel 

 society as Pipilos. To me they are Chewinks, and 

 ever will be. 



In April or earlier they make their appearance and 

 stay until November; but, as in many other cases, 

 quite a number remain during the winter in their 

 summer haunts. Their requirements are wet ground, 

 weeds, and dense underbrush. If among this are 

 many tall trees, so much the better. In other words, 

 they love a swampy woods better than a dry one. 

 The chewink is not restricted to a simple calling out 

 of his own name. In May the male birds attempt an 

 elaborate song, and if not wholly successful, it is by 

 no means a complete failure. The efforts of various 

 writers to express it in syllables are not quite satis- 

 factory ; at least, they use too many consonants and 

 not enough vowels. The love-song of this bird 

 sounds to me like ee-oo, 66666. It is soft, liquid, 

 and without trace of consonantal harshness, and 

 being continued with slight variations, is free from 

 monotony. This song is only uttered, I think, when 

 the bird is perched some ten or twelve feet from the 

 ground. 



The nest is placed directly upon the ground, is 

 made of dead leaves and grass, and the eggs are as 

 inconspicuous as dirt color can make them. It is 

 not easy to find them, but very easy to step where you 

 should not have put your foot and so destroy them. 

 Whether this happens or not, your presence is a 

 matter of great distress to the birds, and if you have 



