Voices of a New England Marsh 53 



from those which we occasionally hear in our orchards in summer, 

 especially just before a rain, but they are now given more rapidly and 

 at shorter intervals as well as with much greater spirit. 



During the last two weeks of May and the first ten days of June' the 



LITTLE BLACK RAIL. (One-half natural size) 



bird voices of the marshes are at their fullest and best. The Robins and 

 Song Sparrows, it is true, are comparatively silent at this time, but all the 

 other species continue to sing with undiminished fervor, at least during the 

 cooler hours, while several of them may be heard now with greater certainty 

 or to greater advantage than at any other season. The first signs of deca- 

 dence are usually noted about the middle of June. Before its close the 

 Bitterns, Rails and Gallinules become silent, and the Bobolinks nearly so, 

 while the songs of the Marsh Wrens, Yellow Warblers, Maryland Yellow- 

 throats and Red-wings steadily decline in vigor and frequency. 



There is a voice, evidently that of a bird, and almost without question 

 belonging to some kind of Rail, but not as yet definitely identified, which 

 has been heard in the Fresh Pond marshes during one season only; viz., in 

 June, 1889. It has since been noted at one or two other similar localities in 

 Eastern Massachusetts, never earlier than May 18 nor later than June 25. 

 As I have already published* a detailed account of my experience and 

 impressions relating to it, as well as my reasons for believing that it is the 



* Auk, xviii, No. 4, Oct., 1901, pp. 321-328. 



