Music of the Wild 



convince any one of its untruth would be to dis- 

 sect a bird and find the peculiar membrane in his 

 windpipe tliat enables him to furnish this distinct- 

 ive and most interesting marsh music. Xo doubt 

 the organ would some^vbat reseml>le the same for- 

 mation at tlie base of the A\'indpipe of a drake. 



The bittern is a fine, dignified specimen. He 

 likes to have his beak and feet clean, and mani- 

 fests his pride in his beautiful plumage bj"- con- 

 stantly dressing and keeping it immaculate. Com- 

 pared with his cousin, shielpoke, he differs as the 

 prince from the fishmonger. Xo slashing and 

 splashing in marsh muck and dirty water for him. 

 He selects a clear, clean spot having a slight cur- 

 rent and, standing immovable, watches the bottom 

 imtil he sees signs of a worm; and then, with a 

 quick, neat nip he has it. He is in every way a 

 self-respecting bird. He moves with fine poise 

 and dignity, and in fliglit he is strong and grace- 

 ful. His vocalizing is almost as surprising as that 

 of the loon, but quite different. 



The loon is a diver, and a relative of tlie grebe. 



As a rule loons are of the lakes and marslies of the 



The far X'orth, wliei-e their cries are considered dread- 



Laughter j-^^^ bv ucrvous ueoule. In early spring, near nest- 



of the Loon . ; , . ^ ' . . . ' ,. '^ . ,, 



mg-tmie, thcTr vocahzation ]s startling, especially 

 in a first ex])erience. Tlie morning call rolling 

 across the water is not so unpleasant; some eminent 

 authorities confess a sneaking fondness for it, as 



4.14 



