188 
OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. 
top or weed to another, he utters such a jingling medley 
of short variable notes, so confused, rapid, and continuous, 
that it appears almost like the blending song of several 
different birds. Many of these tones are very agreeable, 
but they are delivered with such rapidity that the ear can 
scarcely separate them. The general effect, however, like 
all the simple efforts of nature, is good, and when several 
are chanting forth in the same meadow, the concert is 
very cheerful, though monotonous, and somewhat quaint. 
Among the few phrases that can be distinguished, the 
liquid sound of JBob-o-lee , or jBoh-o-link , JBoh-o-linhe , is 
very distinct. To give an idea of the variable extent of 
song, and even an imitation, in some measure, of the 
chromatic period and air of this familiar and rather fa- 
vorite resident, the boys of this part of New England 
make him spout among others, the following ludicrous 
dunning phrase, as he rises and hovers on the wing 
near his mate, “ ’ Boh-o-IinJc, ’Dob-o-linJc, ’ Tom Denny 
’Tom Denny . — ’Come pay me the tied and six pence 
you’ve owed more than a year and a half ago l — ’tshe 
’ tshe ’tshe, ’tsh ’tsh ’tshe,” modestly diving at the same 
instant down into the grass as if to avoid altercation. 
However puerile this odd phrase may appear, it is quite 
amusing to find how near it approaches to the time, and 
expression of the notes, when pronounced in a hurried 
manner. It would be unwise in the naturalist to hold in 
contempt any thing, however trifling, which might tend to 
elucidate the simple truth of nature. I therefore give the 
thing as I find it. This relish for song and merriment, 
confined wholly to the male, diminishes as the period of 
incubation advances, and when the brood begin to flutter 
around their parents and protectors, the song becomes less 
frequent, the cares of the parents more urgent, and any 
approach to the secret recess of their helpless family is 
