Bethel, Maine.
1902.
January 5
(2).
all-pervading silence was suddenly broken by a prolonged,
varied, and exquisitely sweet and tender song. In form it
resembled that of a Goldfinch but it was decidedly longer and
much less loud and obtrusive in quality. Some of the notes suggested the
tinkling sound of ice. Although the song was practically
continuous from beginning to end it did not flow quite smoothly
but tripped or halted in places after the manner of the
song of the Winter Wren, to which, indeed, it bore some slight
general resemblance. From the first I felt sure that the
bird was a Crossbill, probably a White-wing since the notes
were unlike any I had ever heard from Loxia minor; but
just after the song ceased I thought I heard the pip call of
the latter species uttered faintly but distinctly in the cluster
of tall balsams whence the song had seemed to issue. We
scanned these trees long and closely but without discovering
the bird nor did we again hear his voice. Thus the question
of his identity is left practically undecided.
  Proceeding on our way we heard, at frequent intervals,
in the dense balsams and hemlocks which bordered the roadway
on both sides, the slight tzee-tzee-tzee of Golden-crested
Kinglets and the nasal, whining calls of Canada Nuthatches,
Blue Jays occasionally screamed in the distance and we saw
6