BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
207 
becomes apprised of the separation, signals the fact, which is instantly re- 
sponded to by its companion. Directed by the sounds, they soon come 
together, and renew operations as before. 
A few weeks thus spent suffice to blunt the keen edge of aj^petite. 
The male is the first to announce his weariness of such a life. In a few 
quaint syllables, cognizant to his partner, and perhaps to some of his 
nearest kin, he states his desire, and awaits her approach. Does she hesi- 
tate? In the same lively and pleasing manner he repeats it, this time 
with greater fullness and variation. Again and again he does the same, 
and at last his efforts are crowned with success. Pleased with his charm- 
ing voice, she yields to his pertinacious coaxings, and desists from her 
labors. 
The song of the males, for such naturalists have been pleased to 
designate the language which the lords of the feathered creation are prone 
to deliver to their intended partners on certain occasions, bears a strong- 
resemblance at first to the song of the Summer Yellow-Bird. But when 
at its height, about the fifteenth of May, the likeness is not so marked. 
It consists merely of a few short syllables, repeated rather quickly but 
uniformly, and with a loud, clear, distinct and ringing intonation. In 
syllabic language it may be somewhat accurately represented by tee-whU- 
ti-tee-whU-t'i-tee-whU-Ei. 
As fond as this species seems to be of cultivated grounds whilst feed- 
ing, we have never known it, from personal observation, to build in similar 
situations. For purposes of nesting it generally seeks the retirement of 
woods where there is a dense growth of bushes, or waste fields where 
brambles are quite abundant. Occasionally the nest occupies the centre of 
a huge skunk-cahbage, or a tussock of grass, in the midst of a swamj), or 
alongside of a stream of fresh water. In certain localities moist places are 
chosen rather than elevated ones. In others the converse is true. Even 
in the same locality, the birds manifest a preference one year for lowlands, 
and the very next for those which are high and dry. Perhaps the 
