i88


distinct from one another as are leiccotis from pe^^sonata, and cinda

from acuticazcda.


Probably the species occasionally referred to as Poephila

atropygialis is /*. acuticauda. Being personally unacquainted

with Poephila armitiana, I will simply quote " May be looked

upon as the golden- or yellow-headed phase of P. inirabilis..

Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Gulf of Carpentaria."


The statements in the Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. of the total

length of the different species of Poephila cannot be accepted as

correct.



THE SONG OF THE SCARLET TANAGER.


By Arthur G. Butler, Ph. D.


In an article on the Songs of Tauagers (at p. 46 of this

year's Magazine) I say of the Scarlet Tanager, " When I have

kept my two fine males long enough for them to become con-

fiding, perhaps they will give me an opportunity of forming an

opinion respecting the merit of their performance."


At the commencement of July of the present year one

of my males began to sing, and he has continued to do so

industriously, whenever the sun has shone hotly into his flight-

cage, up to the present time.


The song is soft, not unpleasing, and is perhaps capable

of further development ; but hitherto I have not noticed any

striking resemblance to the notes of either Thrush or Robin in

its performance ; excepting that, as with the Thrush, the first

note is repeated four times and all the other expressions or

double notes are repeated : they are, however, at present too soft

and gentle to remind one of a Thrush, and the general effect is

rather that of the White-throated Finch's melody.


On the iSth of July, I took down the song as the bird

uttered it, and carefully went over it afterwards : I render it as

follows; — " Whip, tvhip, zvhip, whip ; tzeivee, tsewee, tzezvee ; cheo,

cheo, cheo, cheo, cheo, cheo, cheo ; tzcTwiss, tserwiss, tzerwiss ; cheo,

cheo, cheo, cheo, cheo, cheo, cheo.


The cheo part of the song is very liquid and always uttered

seven times rapidl}^


I see no likeness in any part of this song to the irregular

plaintive trill of the Robin.



