NON-MUSICAL BIRDS 199 
_ all our woods. When several of the birds are together, and es- 
pecially after the young are fledged, they make a noise that is 
well-nigh deafening. The note of the young while in the nest 
is similar to that of the Cedarbird. 
CROW, 
Corvus americanus. 
The loud caw of the Crow is one of the most expressive of 
any of our bird-notes. During winter, when the crows come nearer 
dwellings or assemble in great flocks, the observer may obtain 
a better idea-of the number of variations the Crow can give to 
its caw. 
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. 
Coccyzus americanus. 
The gutteral note of this species is one of the strangest sounds 
in nature. The bird is seldom seen by any but an experienced 
observer, keeping usually in the tree tops. Its note is rarely heard, 
for the bird is more given to silence than to song. 
DICKCISSEL. 
Spiza americana. 
In the meadows, where the Bobolink sings his delicious song 
in the Maytime, you will be sure to hear another monotonous 
note. This will come from the Dickcissel. Persistently throughout 
the long day its unmusical effort continues. 
PURPLE GRACKLE. 
Qurscalus purpurea. 
This species has a note that grates on the nerves of visitors 
to the country. But like all familiar sounds in nature, the note 
of this very common bird is not unpleasant to the lover of out- 
door life. The grackle’s note is one of the first heard in 
spring and among the last in autumn. 
CEDARBIRD. 
| Bombycilla cedrorum. 
This handsome species has the weakest voice of any bird 
of its size. The inpression made upon the observer is that of the 
most elementary sound—a feeble effort to show that the bird 
has a voice. Cedarbirds move about in flocks and may be heard 
when in trees over head. 
