WOOD NOTES WILD. 13 
In these examples, the bluebird uses the minor key 
altogether: we have him in four positions of it. The 
fact that he sings in the minor key may partly explain 
the tenderness characterizing his song; but undoubtedly 
the plaintive quality of his tone is the more important 
factor. The written songs of the bluebird and the robin 
might lead one to conclude that their performance would 
produce much the same effect, but on hearing them the 
contrast is striking. 
