The White-crowned Sparrow 



the bright, compelling cheer of sunshine battling with glaciers for im- 

 prisoned waters, and a little of the wistfulness, withal, of whispering 

 pines. The song is none so varied, and its cadences might seem prosy 

 in the realm of Philomel. I do not know. But if I were a Lady Leuco- 

 phrys, and dwelt beside a frozen mere, I should ask my lord to sing in 

 just such satisfying tones. 



An examination of the song of Z. leucophrys raises the question 

 whether the characteristics of bird notes are purely hereditary; or, as 



Taken in Inyo County Photo by the Author 



"A VERY STURDY NEST IN THE LEAFLESS BRANCHES OF THE WILLOWS" 



in the case of human speech, partly cultural, that is, derived from asso- 

 ciation with others not of one's own gens. At any rate, the resemblance 

 —I will not say dependence — of the song of leucophrys to that of the 

 Passerella iliaca group is very suggestive. The resemblance is not 

 slavish, but whether in phrasing or in tonal quality, there is much to 

 hint at a blood relationship. Now and then it takes a nice discrimination 

 to separate the two songs: Oh hee sween'tie chup ichin' from a White- 

 crown's throat is like enough to the ree rick'it loop iteer' of the Slate- 

 colored Sparrow. 



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