THE LITTLE SONGSTERS. 117 



The first three notes are given with dehljeration, then 

 he hurries on and finishes with a lond canary-Uke, 

 chirruping trill. Mr. Minot speaks of his "exquis- 

 itely modulated whistles," but this is not a strictly 

 accurate description, for the first three notes are alike, 

 and are given with unmistakable accent and without 

 the slightest modulation.* It is amusing to watch the 

 little bird as he stands on the low, projecting bough 

 of a yellow birch and repeats his simple song over 

 and over again at intervals of about twelve seconds 

 (it only occupies five). Each time he sings he tijDS 

 his head backward and a trifle sideways, and throws 

 his voice out with all his might, ending in an almost 

 imperceptible, high grace note on which he shuts his 

 bill very unceremoniously; then, perhaps, he shifts his 

 position a trifle, scrapes his bill on the branchlet, which, 

 I presume, is equivalent to clearing his throat, and 

 proceeds as before. In another instant he is two 

 hundred yards away, down in the meadow border, 

 singing the same song again.f 



* I hardly agree with Mr. Cheney, however, that this sparrow's 

 song is confined to a minor third; but most likely all field spar- 

 rows do not sing alike. 



f His song is not invariably like that which I have given ; 

 sometimes he indulges in a simple short trill. I chose the par- 

 ticular song recorded, because it coincided to a remarkable de- 

 gree with one written by Mr. Cheney; which fact is conclusive 

 evidence that Spizella pusilla was the bird undoubtedly heard in 

 both instances. 



