238 
OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. 
The notes of the Peto generally partake of the high, 
echoing, clear tone of the Baltimore Bird. Among his 
more extraordinary expressions, I was struck with 
the call of J w h ip -tom- hi I ly hilly, and now and then 
’whiy-tom-hilly , with occasionally some variation in the 
tone and expression, which was very lively and agreeable. 
The middle syllable {tom) was pronounced in a hollow 
reverberating tone. In a few minutes after the subject 
and its variations were finished, in the estimation of the 
musical performer, he suddenly twisted himself round the 
branch on which he had sat, with a variety of odd and fan- 
tastic motions ; and then, in a lower, hoarser, harsh voice* 
and in a peevish tone, exactly like that of the Jay and the 
Chicadee, went day -day -day -day , and day -day -day -day- 
ddit ; sometimes this loud note changed into one which 
became low and querulous. On some of these occasions 
he also called ’ tshica dee-dee. The jarring call would 
then change occasionally into hai-tee-did did-dit-did. 
These peevish notes would often be uttered in anger at 
being approached ; and then again would perhaps be 
answered by some neighbouring rival, against whom they 
appeared levelled in taunt and ridicule, being accom- 
panied by extravagant gestures. 
Later in the season, in February, when in the lower 
part of Alabama the mild influence of spring began al- 
ready to be felt, our favorite, as he gaily pursued the 
busy tribe of insects, now his principal food, called, as 
he vaulted restlessly from branch to branch, in an echoing 
rapid voice, at short intervals, petb-petd-petd-petd. This 
tender call of recognition was at length answered, and 
continued at intervals for a minute or two ; they then 
changed their quick call into a slower peto peto peto ; and 
now the natural note passed into the plaintive key, sound- 
ing like que-ah que-dh ; then in the same breath a jarring 
