PREFACE. 



it is, last from the publisher, but first from birds which 

 have sung in tin- field and on the hillside for tli 

 five years. Whose an- tin- soii-s, mine i No, I am only 

 the reporter who lias listened attentively for a score of 

 vernal seasons to the little feathered musicians of Na- 

 ture's great on-liestra. The volume is literally a field- 

 book filled with the musieal ,^a\ ings of American birds; 

 1 lia\e taken no liberties with the scores, except to 

 make a doubtful A or B no longer doubtful. All is a 

 literal transcription, not without certain pu/./.ling phases, 

 of course ; for who of us have never been bothered by 

 the rapid performances of expert musicians! Naturally, 

 therefore, some of my records are imperfect; indeed, it 

 is safe to add that some singers sang a great deal more 

 than I was able to put down on paper. I trust, however, 

 that no bird lover will be disturbed by the remarkable 

 records coming from the more talented songsters when 

 he hears what they have done through the interposition 

 of the pianist. If he should doubt my record I would 

 be pleased to introduce him to my bird (or perhaps 

 some other one just as talented) in the field opposite my 

 studio, or on the mountain-side behind it, in the wilds 

 of New Hampshire. 



To those kind friends who have greatly assisted me 

 by advice and service in the planning of this work I am 

 glad to extend grateful acknowledgments. Mr. William 

 Brewster has permitted me to sketch in water-color 

 from specimens in his museum. Mr. Walter Deane has 

 been generous in advice, Mr. Frank Chapman has 

 given me ample facilities to sketch from specimens in 

 the New York Museum of Natural History. Messrs. 

 Lee and Shepard have kindly presented me with a copy 

 of Mr. Cheney's Wood Notes Wild, and granted per. 

 mission to quote therefrom. Messrs. Houghton and 

 Mifflin have allowed me to quote from those admirable 

 little volumes of that charming writer and true nature- 

 lover, Mr. Bradford Torrey.* Messrs. Ginn and Company 



* Mr. Torrey, above all other authors, has succeeded in succinctly 

 describing the musical rhythm of the bird's song, and has also used 

 practi'-al musical definitions. ]!' writings are of inestimable 

 value to one who pursues the study <>t bird music. 



