136 BiCKNELL on the Singing of Birds. [ Apnl 



er's nest, and not improbably had been influenced by the sugges- 

 tions of the situation. I liave several times noticed Bluebirds in 

 song at unusual times while engaged in inspecting retrospective 

 or prospective homes. 



Though with the Nvithatches singing may not be fully instituted 

 until the latter part of February, individuals are usually to be 

 heard on fine days about the middle of the month, even if the 

 preceding weather should have been severe. 



This species is not constantly abundant with us, and at times 

 seems to be altogether wanting, so that absence of song may 

 impl}^ silence only in the sense of there being no birds to sing. 

 The species was abundant in the season of 1879, which was of 

 normal character, and may thus be taken as a representative one. 

 Full song was first heard February 16, and again March 2, after 

 which singing was constant to the middle of the month, thence 

 decreasing towards the end. In April and May, song-notes were 

 heard on several separated dates, extending through the former 

 month, and up to the nth day of the latter. These appeared to 

 conclude the season of song ; but on several days of early July 

 brief song-notes were heard. Similar apparently exceptional 

 dates were recorded in another year, and a close approach to the 

 true song-notes was once heard on July 23. It is probable that 

 these late notes were from the parents of delayed broods. I have 

 no record of the song-notes for a later period of the year, and in 

 some years I have not heard them later than March. The usual 

 call notes are a nasal ' lank- 7a?ik.' 



I find the Nuthatch all through the winter almost without fat. 

 When fat is present it is of a clear, pale sulphur color, while that 

 of the Red-bellied Nuthatch is more opaque and of a deep orange- 

 yellow. 



Sitta canadensis. Red-bellied Nuthatch. 



The drawling call-notes of this species are the only sounds I 

 have heard from it. The}? are frequently uttered while the bird 

 is with us. 



Certhia familiaris rufa. Brown Creeper. 



Some feeble notes, suggestive of those o^ Regulus satrapa^ are 

 this bird's usual utterance during its visit. Its song I have never 

 heard. 



