SINGING-BIRDS. 



THE Singing-Birds, with reference to their songs, are 

 distinguishable into four classes: The Rapid singers, 

 whose song is uninterrupted, of considerable length, and 

 delivered in apparent ecstasy; the Moderate singers, 

 whose notes are slowly modulated, without pauses or rests 

 between the different strains; the Interrupted singers, 

 who sometimes modulate their notes with rapidity, but 

 make a distinct pause after each strain. The Linnet and 

 the Bobolink are examples of the first class ; the com- 

 mon Robin and the Veery of the second ; the Red 

 Thrush and particularly the Hermit Thrush of the third. 

 There are other birds whose lay consists only of two or 

 three notes, not sufficient to be called a song. The 

 Bluebird and the Golden Robin are of this class. 



June, in this part of the world, is the most tuneful 

 month of the year. Many of our principal songsters do 

 not appear until near the middle of May ; but all, wheth- 

 er early or late, continue to sing throughout the month 

 of June. The birds that arrive the latest are not always 

 the latest in returning. The period of time they occupy 

 in song depends chiefly upon the number of broods of 

 young they raise in the year. If they raise but one brood 

 in a season, their period of song is short ; if they raise 

 two or more, they may prolong their singing into August. 

 Not one of our New England birds is an autumnal war- 

 bler, though the Robin, the Wood-Sparrow, and the Song- 

 Sparrow are often heard after the first of September. The 

 tuneful season in New England comprises April, May, 

 and the three summer months. 



