Tile Singring of Birds. B.P.BiokneU. 



Turdus aliciae. Gray-cheeked Thrush. 



To this species almost tlie same remarks apply as to the last- 

 mentioned, except that it appears disposed to tarry a little longer 

 in the spring ; consequently its song may sometimes be heard a 

 few days later. It is occasionally in song with us through the 

 first week of June, — that is, I have heard it up to June 4. 



I am well satisfied that the songs of the Gray-cheeked and 

 Olive-backed Thrushes are not alike ; in fact that they are as dis- 

 tinct from one another as from the songs of the other small 

 Thrushes. 



During recent seasons particular attention was paid to the 

 songs of these birds, and a clear difference between the songs of 

 individuals of each proved to be constant, so far as limited 

 observation went. As a result of my experience with these 

 birds, I have little hesitation in characterizing the song of 

 the Gray-cheeked Thrush as weaker than that of the Olive- 

 backed, entirely dissimilar in tone, and with a somewhat dif- 

 ferent disposition of the notes. Instead of inusically outbnrsting, 

 it is singularly subdued, and has a far-away and rather ven- 

 triloquial sound. It seems more the expression of some dis- 

 tant emotion revived in memory than of a suddenly felt present 

 emotion which the song of the Olive-backed Thrush suggests. 



The song of the latter bird is louder, more spontaneous and 

 lyrical. Almost the first note is the loudest and most liquid, after 

 which the melody becomes rapidly fainter, seeming to dissolve 

 upon the air like the spent vibrations of a stringed instrument. 

 The song of the Gray-cheeked Thrush commences low and 

 reaches its loudest, and I think its highest, part a little beyond 

 half its continuance. It is throughout much fainter and of less 

 forcible delivery than the song of the Olive-backed species. 



Auk, I. April, 1884. p. /50~/3L 



