280 
The following account of Ше bird's song is given by Mr. Bicknell (Auk, i. p. 126) :—“As a 
general rule our summer song-birds come to us in the spring in full voice ; but an exception is often 
made by the Robin. As a few Robins may be with us all winter, it is not always easy to tell just 
when the first spring birds come; but the observations of several years clearly show that, as a rule, 
first arrivals are songless. But singing is rarely delayed after the migration has well begun; and 
when this has been retarded by untoward weather, and finally starts with full volume, then the 
advance guard are usually song-bearers. Му records show a range of over three weeks in the time 
of the beginning of song in different years, from February 27 to March 21. Both of these dates are, 
however, exceptional, and represent the extremes of an early and late season. Usually singing begins 
during the second week of March. 
“Тһе Robin continues well in song up to the middle of July, after which there is usually a 
perceptible decrease in the number of singing birds, and the time of singing becomes more restricted 
to the marginal hours of the day. Му notes of the singing of the Robin in August, though usually 
extending through the month, rarely form more than a disconnected record. Тһе inclination towards 
song is now declining, and it depends, during the first part of the month largely, and during the 
latter part entirely upon favorable conditions, whether there be any song at all. ‘Thus in a season of 
drought occasional brief songs in the early hours on favorable days, with intervals of silence, may fill 
out the record of the month, whereas a reasonable consecutive record will result from a cool and 
wet season. | 
“September is eminently their month of silence. ‘Their primary song-period may extend 
feebly beyond the end of August, and rarely an imperfect song may be heard in the following month, 
but until its latter days silence, excepting the ordinary call-notes, is the general rule. 
“ The secondary song-period is introduced with much regularity in different years in the last days 
of September. From 1878-81, my record runs: September 27, 26, 28, 25. But unfavorable weather 
may postpone the beginning of the second song-period until October. ‘The first songs are usually 
subdued and broken, but soon acquire the normal character, and sometimes continue with little 
interruption through the month of October; but again there may be an almost complete intermission 
between the first or second and final week of the month. Sometimes when this is the case, multitudes 
of the birds arrive from the north about the third quarter of the month, bringing song with them, 
and in the last week, if the weather be damp and cloudy, numbers may be heard singing with 
almost the freshness and vigor which characterise their song in April. 
* When the vast numbers of Robins which pass southward at this season have departed, the species 
rapidly becomes uncommon. Dates of last songs fall between October 21 and November 1. Іп two 
years I have no record later than the Sth, but it seems not unlikely that in these years transient 
final days of song were missed. It is, however, not improbable that, if subsequent to the beginning 
of autumn song the weather should prove unfavorable, the second song-period may be allowed 
to lapse. 
“Through the latter part of August many Robins may be seen flying about, minus remiges and 
rectrices, in varying number. Adults of both sexes taken in the second week of October have the 
new plumage perfected with the exception of some of the smaller feathers." 
Mr. Ernest Thompson writes :—“ The song is first heard in the morning when the dawn is well 
advanced, the Robin being more tardy to raise the matin song than many of his compeers. It is 
heard until the middle of the fore-noon, then usually ceases until near sunset, when it recommences 
and continues till dusk. I have not yet noted this species singing by night. If, when singing, the 
bird is slightly startled by some noise close at hand, the loud cheery note is stopped, or at least 
altered, so that, although the song goes on, it is very faint, and sounds as though coming from à 
great distance, and closer inspection will show the bird's bill to be shut. This was first pointed 
