WHITE-THROATED SPARROW 



A FEATHERED FIFER 



{Figs. 4S, 46) 



HEN we can address a foreigner 

 in his own language, we at once 

 establish more friendly relations 

 with him than it would be possible 

 to create if we had to talk with 

 the aid of an interpreter. 

 So I always feel better acquainted with those birds 

 whose language I can speak than with those whose 

 tongues I cannot master. It is true that I rarely 

 know the meaning of what I say, but the birds 

 seem to understand; at least, they reply, and that 

 makes a bond of sympathy between us. 



Any one who can whistle can acquire White- 

 throat's language. His voice is clear, high, and 

 sweet, and the intervals between his notes so 

 closely agree with those of our musical scale, that 

 his songs can be written on our staff. Here 



are two which I often hear. There are many 



76 



