Tile Singing of Birds, E.P.BieknaU, 
Sayornis phcebe. * Phcebe-bird. 
The well-known Phoebe comes to us in the spring the first of 
the' Flycatchers ; the first, in fact, of our strictly summer birds 
— those that never show themselves in winter — and for this rea- 
son, as well as because it actually comes to us and need not be 
sought, it always meets with a special welcome among the 
evidences of the advancing season in March. According to 
custom, on the first morning of its arrival its song comes in 
through the windows from gable-peak or other familiar perch 
about the grounds, and not till then does spring seem really to 
have begun. But its song is one of those which appeals to the 
sympathies rather than to the ear, fully making up in sincerity 
what it lacks of music. Still, it must be reluctantly admitted that 
later, when more graceful and gifted songsters are with us, the 
plain Phoebe does appear a trifle unsophisticated, and its notes 
may grow monotonous. Nevertheless their jerky character 
seems to be held in high opinion by their author, and is admirably 
seconded by its tail. 
Usually the Phoebe-bird must be waited for until after the 
middle of March ; but it may put in an appearance any time be- 
tween the first and last days of the month — March 5 to 30. 
As to its singing in the summer, there is much variability in 
different years. In some, little will be heard from it through the 
greater part of July, August, and September ; and in prolonged 
heated terms it may be generally silent for weeks at a time in any 
part of this period. If the weather be agreeable it is much less 
taciturn. 
With considerable regularity singing is resumed in the latter 
part of September, and usually lasts into the following month. 
On bright autumn days, especially, the Phrnbes seem animated 
by the same cheerful spirit in which they passed the spring, and 
in their ardor of song even dare again the high pitch of note 
where the voice seems about to crack at every ascent. Such 
songs are often among the last. 
My record tells of farewell songs from September 28 to October 
17. These really announce the general departure of the species 
— the latest with us, as it was the earliest of the Flycatchers — and 
though single birds seem to be loath to leave and often linger late 
about the thinning orchards and leafless shrubbery along the bor- 
ders of ponds and streams, their only note is a simple chip. 
Auk, 2, July, 1886. p. £ *T*i - % &jT. 
Cf. Stejneger, Auk, Vol. II, No. I, p. 51. 
