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attracts our attention to a flock flying over. The second is a 

 scolding note, which is, in general, similar but much shorter 

 in its accent. It may be represented by the word check. 

 The latter note is given whenever one intrudes upon the bird's 

 haunts. 



The whistles, likewise, are of two sorts, dependent upon the 

 inflection. The first, with a falling inflection, is rather plain- 

 tive, and not so scolding as the second^ It is probably what 

 Nuttall represented by Htshdy. The second does not have the 

 falling inflection, and begins more abruptly than it ends. It 

 is probably the note which Nuttall describes as ftsheah. This 

 is the alarm note; it is given when the nest is approached, 

 and arouses all of the other birds within hearing. Various 

 combinations of these call notes, with slight modifications, are 

 frequently given, but they can almost always be resolved into 

 these factors. For example, a sort of scolding song, which is 

 given in the air, with quivering wings, can easily be resolved 

 into : check, check, check, ftsheah. A modification of this, which 

 is given by both birds at the breeding season, but especially 

 by the female, substitutes the chuck note for the check, and a 

 chee note for the whistle, and may be represented thus : chuck, 

 chuck, chuck, chee-e, chee-e, chee-e. 



Although song begins with the arrival of the first true mi- 

 grants, mating can not take place for several weeks. The 

 first migrating females do not arouse the males, and travel 

 unmolested. After about a week, however, the males begin 

 to notice them, and song and display are augmented. Upon 

 the arrival of the first resident females, the reproductive organs 

 of the males become considerably enlarged (Plate XXI, F), 

 and song and display reach their height. In addition to the 

 ordinary display and erection of feathers, a method of soaring 

 is now indulged in. In comparison with that of the Lark, it 

 is rather crude, but undoubtedly it is akin to it. Mounting 

 by a rather irregular spiral, the male bird attains a consider- 

 able height, where he hovers, oftentimes for long periods, while 

 his wings barely flutter. Song is not generally indulged in. 

 Eventually, with half-closed wings, the bird drops down in a 

 zigzag course to the marsh. A dozen or more birds may fre- 



