1884.1 BiCKNELl. nv the Singing of Ih'rds. 320 



the English House Sparrow. Before it was familiar to me it 

 was with no little surprise that I heard at Big Moose Lake, deep 

 in the Adirondack Wilderness, a bird-note so suggestive of city 



streets. 



Astragalinus tristis. American Goldfinch. 



A wide variation in the time of the beginning of song with this 

 species in different years is doubtless attributable to the same 

 causes that produce like results in the case of the Purple Finch. 

 My records show that at any time between March 16 and April 17 

 it is not unusual for singing to begin. March 3 (in the preco- 

 cious season of 187S*) is an exceptionally early date ; April 23, 

 1SS3, an exceptionally late one. In the spring and early summer 

 singing is likely to be inconstant ; doubtless for the reason that the 

 birds are not disposed to stay long at any locality when not under 

 the restraint of domestic duties, and while wandering about in 

 flocks they seem disinclined to sing. 



Final songs are sung at the last of August (20th and 26th to 

 30th) ; though I have no record for 1S81 later than August 8, 

 notwithstanding that the birds were present through the month ; 

 possibly observation was at fault. 



After the close of summer their song is not again heard until 

 the following spring. Singing begins in the spring before the 

 perfect summer plumage is assumed ; but for that matter many of 

 the birds are to be seen even so late as mid-May with a dusky 

 tarnish still marring their golden coats. The Goldfinch often sings 

 while on the wing. 



Passerculus sandvicensis savana. Savanna Sparrow. 



This Sparrow is one of the few spring migrants which are not 

 in song on their arrival, and is also the only one of our song-birds 

 which I find in full moult while migrating in the spring. Even 

 so late as the fourth week of April individuals are to be found 

 covered with sprouting and growing feathers ; but at the same 

 time, and before, others have acquired their full spring attire. 



The dates that I have recorded limiting its presence in the 

 spring are March 23 and May 19 ; while I have heard its song 



*See a paper by the writer in 'The Country' for March 31, 1878, 'On the Animal and 

 Vegetable Life of the Past Winter." 



