FAMILY FHngllHdx. 



of musical Bounds indicated . . . appears to coi 

 tute the most perfect and complete form of the song, 

 but it is varied in different localities and by different p-i - 

 formers, as if among birds of the same species th i. 

 were different degrees of musical talent "(that is true, 

 his surmise is correct) "and different fashions in i, 

 cal education. In one place, where I had excellent 

 opportunities to listen, the last three measures \v-ri sel- 

 dom heard, or when heard, consisted each of a half- 

 note. Of the first three half-notes, one or the other 

 is sometimes omitted." Evidently Dr. Leach did not 

 take into account the immature bird which sings the im- 

 mature song for we must not forget that every youth- 

 ful bird has his lesson to learn, and it is learned more or 

 less perfectly, and the season of the year which has 

 everything to do with the form of the song. In Septem- 

 ber and October, the bird pipes up again, but he rarely if 

 ever finishes his song; also at this time there is a new 

 singer or two just making his first essay at music. 

 Again it has been my frequent experience that the song 

 of the White-throat heard at a distance sounds this 

 way: 



n u. -tt Three f/infs i8vd.. 



J -> Oh hear 



me 



dear. . . ief 



the last three triplets being merged each into one tremu- 

 lous but sustained tone. Also I have heard the bird sing 

 within eight feet of my head and noticed an immensely 

 high squeaky grace-note which introduced each group 

 of triplets thus: 



Three 



Jh. ^hear 'me T 'There$a.; 'Theresa? Theresa. 

 This bird evidently stuttered! 



r s bird evidently stutter 



100 



