The Singing of Birds. E. P. Bickneii. 
Passerella iliaca. Fox-colored Sparrow. 
This fine Sparrow, “the noblest Roman of them all,” sings 
for us both in the spring and in the autumn. M3' records are 
comprised between the following dates : February 29 and April 
13 in the spring; and October 28 and. November 1 7 in the fall. 
At neither season are they in song when they first come, unless 
possibly in a spring when the arrival is late ; if they come excep- 
tionally early, singing may be considerably postponed. 
In the fall they are sometimes in voice soon after making their 
appearance ; but it is usual for them to be present some time 
before their mellow notes add their charm to the late autumn. 
Singing often lasts as late as the second week of November, but 
rarely later, even though small flocks of the birds remain till the 
end of the month. 
Like many other birds this Sparrow seems indisposed to sing 
unless present in some numbers, and in seasons when it is un- 
common, whether spring or tall, its song maj' not be heard. 
Auk, 2, April, 1885. p. / 6D . 
The Fox Sparrows did not put in an appearance in the vicinity 
of St. John until “April-fool’s day,” a full week after the Wild 
Geese were first seen going northward. They are rarely observed 
here after the third week in March, but this year they remained 
fully a month later. By the fifth day of April they had gathered 
in immense numbers and were in full song. Everywhere about 
the city and suburbs, and at all hours, in the early dawn and in 
the gloaming as well as at noonday, alike indifferent to storm or 
sunshine, they sang as if singing were the end and aim of their 
existence. But theirs is a song that one does not soon tire of ; 
indeed to my ear it is more beautiful than that of any other mem- 
ber of the family, entitling the species to high rank among our 
northern songsters. Of course such eminent performers as the 
Winter Wren and Hermit Thrush take precedence, and in the 
song of the present bird we miss many qualities for which other 
species are admired. Its voice has neither the compass of the 
Catbird’s nor the volume of the Purple Finch’s, while it lacks the 
free abandon of the Bobolink’s and the sentiment so sweetly voiced 
by the Vireo when he “whispers his secrets to the passing breeze.” 
The chief characteristics of the song of the Fox Sparrow are 
sweetness and purity of tone, and rare beauty of expression ; 
and in these he stands the peer of the ablest of his rivals. 
Baa N. O.O. 8, Jan, 1888, p, 
