T^e Singing of Birds. E. P. Bicknell. 
Zonotrichia albicollis. White-throated Sparrow. 
This Sparrow is here a winter resident, appearing from further 
north in the latter part of September, and remaining into May. 
I have heard its song every month during its stay ; but in winter, 
except at the borders of the season, singing is exceptional and 
always of imperfect expression. Song at this season seems merely 
•AYOHHVJg aHiVOHHX-HXIHjW ’SIJJOOiqiB EIipi-UOUOZ 
•q-IH'-J Moppopj 
J° jo aAqsaSSns sn Suos oq; oj sapnjju .laqsij \iq 
'9 Z pun 6 Tbjaj uaoM;aq Suos jjnj sji p.iBoq pun ‘s-iaqmnu ouios 
u; 4; punoj .loqsqq -jq ‘zggi ‘AVpj ui ‘ojuproAi-y; jo qptou sajiut 
Xjupm} ‘Suig-guig jy ’ifouBjsuoo ouios qjiAA Suis fern pun ‘uos 
-ess }Bip ;b uoiuuiooun jou sguiqnuios si ;; ss9[9tp.[9A9^ -Sui.icls 
i££ •sp,iig fo SmSutg 337 uo TiaNsoig [-tggi 
‘■°W ‘t-iodjso^Y tuo.ij ip:pnj\[ Xq paqjaosap js.iy SBAAjoajqns .inQ 
•uoijB.iSira 
pun uopnqujsip sji jo uavoioj mou si jBtp jjb suopBAjssqo gsoip oj 
ppB 05 9J0p.lB .] 1 1 OS. I. id OL[} JO U0pU9JUI 9qi SI }I J) II II 4 AjjnjO.lBO 9}Illb 
paijojBA\ 9.I3AA .I9JUIAV 3qj Sur.inp SJU9UI9AOU1 s j i ‘pgjoaclxa 9q jqSjui 
Mt. Kearearge.N.H, June, 1890 
1?. A* Bates 
'' Leaving here, we find bird life growing very 
scant, but see the Junco and White-t hroated 
• Sparrow apparently breeding at a height of 
2,000 feet. 
Speaking of this latter bird, it is here in 
these mountains that I heard its voice at its 
greatest perfection, at least two more notes 
being added to its song as heard in the low- 
lands. It warbles at intervals during the 
entire day, calling back and forth with its 
companions; and later on, as I lay in my 
blankets on the slopes of Mount Willey, in the 
darkness of the night, and surrounded by the 
sombre depths of the spruce forest, lit only by 
the glimmering stars, I heard it again, like 
a voice of hope calling from the depths of 
gloomy despair, and enlivening the solitude 
with its cheery notes. And as the first rays of 
the rising sun adorned the east he, first of all, 
lifted up his voice in gladness and praise. 
0<&0» 15. Nov, 1890. P, 173 . 
Dwicbt, bummer Birds of 
Prince Edward Island, 
Zonotrichia albicollis. White-throated Sparrow.— This bird so 
characteristic of the Canadian Fauna is less abundant than the ubiquitous 
Junco, but on account of its loud and striking song is far better known to 
the average inhabitant. It is a bird of the clearings, building its nest 
upon the ground in a bunch of weeds, and singing nearly all of the time 
it is not occupied scolding intruders. Its well-known song is easily 
imitated, and it is amusing to see how angry and excited a male will 
become if he thinks another has strayed into his own domain. The song 
s sometimes heard breaking the stillness of the night, and only those who 
lave passed a night in the northern woods can know how profound this 
stillness may be. The song has given to the bird many local names 
wherever it occurs, one of the best known being ‘Kennedy Bird.’ I heard 
i new version which credits him with saying ‘Good Lord, pity me, pity 
me pity me.’ When the young get on the wing, the song is less fre- 
juentlv heard. The bird is known to the few French settlers of the island 
- r. if.ica’nrrinl ( n i f Vi H LI PTllc') • 
Auk X, Jan, 1893, 
K7 
