26 WOOD NOTES WILD. 



especially true of the oriole, the tanager, and the bobolink. 

 The voice of a bird four years old is very much fuller and 

 better than that of a yearling ; just as his plumage is 

 deeper and richer in color. 



The song- sparrow comes soon after the bluebird and 

 the robin, and sings from the time of his coming till the 

 close of summer. Unlike his cousin, the field-sparrow, 

 he seems to seek the companionship of man. Sitting 

 near an open window one day last summer, as was my 

 habit, my attention was attracted by the singing of a 

 song-sparrow perched upon a twig not far away. Fancy- 

 ing that he addressed himself to me individually, I re- 

 sponded with an occasional whistle. He listened with 

 evident interest, his head on one side and his eye rolled 

 up. For many days in succession he came at about the 

 same hour in the afternoon, and perching in the same 

 place sang his cheery and varied songs, listening in turn 

 to my whistles. 



