CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. 



in that case he is practically rounding out the song with- 

 out the suspicion of the pause noted hi my previous 

 record. Here is another form in which he retains both 

 pause and extra note: 

 Presto. 



These are subtle differences which only a quick ear can 

 detect and musical notation accurately express! As 

 I have said in the beginning of this book, time is an all- 

 important element of music, and there is no denying the 

 fact that it occupies a very important place in precisely 

 this part of the Chestnut-sided's song. Often when time 

 is not concerned with difference in bird song, this differ- 

 ence becomes apparent in a certain method of delivery. 

 For instance, the following transcription was obtained in 

 Campton, June 26, 1899: 



Presto. tres. 



Nearly a year later, May 23, 1900, practically the same 

 song was differently rendered by another bird in Arling- 

 ton Heights, Mass., fully one hundred and thirty miles 

 farther south; this song is my first notation herewith. 

 A comparison of the two records will show that one bird 

 pitched his first four notes higher than the other bird 

 and at the same time slurred each one. But these fine 

 points do not represent the only variations in this War- 

 bler's song; there are some uncommon forms which 

 doubtless should be referred to eccentric individuals. 

 Here is one which came from a bird which also sang 

 the form which I have at first given: 



This type is so nearly like one belonging to the Yellow 

 185 



