5014 Tue ZooLtogist—Aveust, 1876. 
birds. He claims the first rank for these on account of the delicate 
structure of their vocal organs. It is like Art going before Power. 
The old arrangement which commences with the Raptorial birds 
springs from the instinct which deifies force. There is something 
higher than mere brute strength ; therefore, place for the songsters ! 
Although there are a number of these which enliven the woods and 
glades of America with their notes, yet it does not appear that there 
is any one which is, facile princeps, like our English nightingale. 
Wilson’s thrush (Turdus fuscescens) is praised for its song :— 
“When its clear bell-like notes, resonant, distinct, yet soft and of in- 
describable sadness, fall-upon the ear as we press through the tangled 
undergrowth beneath the shade of stately trees, we pause involuntarily to 
listen to music that for the moment makes us forget the terrible torture of 
body and vexation of spirit that we endure continually from the innumerable 
hosts of the scourge—mosquitoes.” 
Another songster is the blue-gray gnat-catcher (Polioptila 
cerulea). Mr. Maynard, one of the Doctor’s correspondents, thus 
writes of it :— 
«T was walking in a narrow path through a hummock, which lies back 
of the old fort at Miami, Florida, and had paused to observe a female of this 
species, when I heard a low warbling which sounded like the distant song 
of some bird I had never heard before. I listened attentively, but could 
make nothing of it, and advanced a few paces, when I heard it more plainly. 
This time it appeared to come from above me, and looking upward I saw a 
male gnat-catcher hopping nimbly from limb to limb on some small trees 
which skirted the woods. Although he was but a short distance away, 
I was obliged to watch the motions of his little throat before I became con- 
vinced that this music came from him. It was even so, and nothing could 
be more appropriate to the delicate marking and size of the tiny, fairy-like 
bird, than the silvery warble which filled the air with sweet continuous 
melody. I was completely surprised, for I never imagined that any bird 
was capable of producing notes so soft and low, yet each one given with 
such distinctness that the ear could catch every part of the wondrous and 
complicated song. I watched him for some time, but he never ceased 
singing, save when he sprang into the air to catch some passing insect. 
The female seemed to enjoy the musical efforts that were accomplished for 
her benefit, for she drew gradually nearer, until she alighted upon the same 
tree with her mate. At this moment she took alarm, and flew a short 
distance, followed by her mate. As I walked away I could hear the murmur 
of the love-song till it became indistinguishable from the gentle rustling of 
the leaves around,” 
a 
