THE BIRD'S LOVE-SONG 283 



the same species. " I find more and more," 

 lie says, " that birds extemporize, and that 

 those of the same species do not sing alike." 

 This must be the experience of every close 

 student. 



Another interesting thing about the songs 

 of birds is the fact that they are capable of 

 classification. Nearly all have three, and 

 many of them four kinds of songs, which I 

 have designated as 



First, the common song. 



Second, the love-song. 



Third, the whisper-song. 



Fourth, the flight- song. 



The love-song is that which blesses us on 

 the arrival of the birds in spring, in wooing 

 mood. It is ecstatic, and probably the best 

 a bird can do. On several occasions I have 

 known the love-song to be addressed by cap- 

 tive birds to the one in the house on whom 

 they had fixed their affections, but always 

 with a peculiar emphasis of manner, and al- 

 most always when alone with the beloved, 

 showing that it was something very special. 



To enjoy the love-song one must not only 

 be up early in the morning, but in the field 



