42 ] How to Understand the Birds 



words or syllables. This is instructiveand amusing too, for natur- 

 ally any two listeners may arrive at varying interpretations of the 

 same song. Here are three versions, for example, of the song of the 

 white-throated sparrow: Old Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody; or, 

 Sow wheat Peverly, Peverly, Peverly; or, Sweet Canada, Canada, 

 Canada. 



Some interpretations have been published so often, however, 

 that we may now consider them as standard. Thus the scarlet 

 tanager is supposed to say chip-churr and the nuthatch ank, ank. 

 Though the robin has a variety of sweet songs, its apt early morn- 

 ing serenade is wake-up, cheer-up, cheerily-up, wake-up. A cardi- 

 nal may join in with a shrill whoit, whoit, whoit, whit, whit, whit, 

 whit. As for the song sparrow, it suggests in a lyrical mood: maids, 

 maids, put on your teakettle ettle, ettle, ettle. Some songs are 

 longer and have more variations; we write their lyrics in couplets. 

 The interpretation of the brown thrasher's song is a good example: 



Shuck it, Shuck it; sow it, sow it; 

 Plow it, Plow it; hoe it, hoe it! 



On occasion birds may vary their phrasing just enough to con- 

 fuse us. However, an excellent way to become familiar with bird 

 songs is through recordings. In many storesand libraries as well 

 you can find such collections as "Bird Songs" and "More Bird 

 Songs," both recorded by Albert R. Brand. 



To become a skillful imitator of songs and calls requires a great 

 deal of practice. The chickadee is a good bird to imitate, as it is 

 a particularly responsive bird. If you can get the chickadee to 

 answer your imitation of its call, you will be sure of a fascinated 

 and admiring audience in your child. 



How to Make Birds Feel at Home 



One of the most satisfying outlets for the energies of a young 

 carpenter is building a bird house. As he uses his tools he gets a 

 practical grasp of the essentials of construction work. Later on, if 

 he keeps an eye on the house after it is set up, he will learn a great 

 deal about the habits of birds and their likes and dislikes. As he 



