1146 Ebpoet of State Geologist. 



The ordinary note is something like iszee-tszee-tszee, with occasional 

 squeaks and clucks. Their call has been compared to the Catbird's 

 note and their low, harmonious song — ^the love song — ^whieh is a 

 pleasant surprise to one who hears it for the first time, to a minature 

 of the Catbirds' well-known production. 



The song. Dr. A. Le Moyne gives as: " 'Twing-twing-twing-twing, 

 ree-ree-ree-ree,' first half rising scale, latter descending, followed by 

 the low jumble of warbles, which defies any representation." 



They become quiet in July, and after that do not attract so much 

 attention. The following month most of them leave, a few lingering 

 until after the beginning of September. It has been last noted at 

 Brookville, September 6, 1896; in Vermillion County, September 6, 

 1897; Hillsdale, Mich., September 9, 1894; Chicago, 111., August 31, 

 1895. 



They are restless, active little birds, which we see first when they 

 come and last before they leave, among the thickets of the more open 

 woodland. Soon after their arrival they are to be seen among the 

 trees, and their peculiar notes, lack of shyness, incessant activity and 

 long tail with outer white tail feathers, are all marks that attract atten- 

 tion. 



The one who named this little fidget named it well. Its life is spent 

 in catching small insects, mostly on the fly. In the course of its 

 journey through the woods it seems to be half the time in the air. 

 It keeps its eye upon the intruder, but is determined that he shall 

 obtain a good idea of its expertness in catching gnats and of its ability 

 to gracefully handle its long tail. It performs remarkable g3ri"ations, 

 and accompanies them with the opening and folding of its long tail. 

 Every dart it makes for am insect is followed by a snap of the bill 

 that is the announcement of the end of one small life, and bears to the 

 ears of the observer an emphatic attestation of the bird's ability. 



LTI Family TURDID.Si, Thrushes, Solitaires, Sionechats, 

 Bluebirds, Etc 



«'. Wings and tail with no blue; wing less than four times as long as tarsus. 

 6'. Tail without white at base. 

 c^ . Tail less than three times as long as tarsus ; breast spotted. TrKDUS. 176 

 c'. Tail more than three times as long as tarsus; breast in adult not spotted. 



Merula. 177 

 b'. Tail with basal portion white; plumage entirely without spots in adult. 



Saxicola. 

 a^. Wing and tail with blue; wing more than five times as long as tarsus. 



Si ALIA. 178 



