W. Middlesex Ob. Mass. 
June 25-80. 1880. 
'V -C. i t 
Ashb y __ Two males singing every evening curing our 
stay within hearing of Mr. Brooks' house. They began regularly 
at aboui eight o' clock and continued singing with frequent inter- 
missions of a few minutes up to the time when we we nt to bed, or 
on the average about IT o' clock. During this time there was no 
moon, and se veral of the nights were very darg. Both of these 
birds began singing in a heavy piece of pine woods on the hill 
side, but when it became thoroughly dark they left this cover and 
ranged freely about over the neighboring country, singing in the 
apple orchards and on stone walls in the fields. 
The Singing: of Birds. 
E.P.Bicknell, 
Caprimulgus vociferus. Whip-poor-will. 
I have never heard the notes of the Whip-poor-will after the 
middle of the year, though it is well known to sing in the autumn. 
At Sing Sing, Dr. Fisher has heard it up to September 19 ; and it 
has been heard by different members of my family at the following 
times and places: Canaseraga, N. Y., July 24, '1871 ; Scarsdale, 
N. Y., August 31, 1880; Bay Ridge, L. I., August 10, 18S1. 
Auk, 2, Jnly, 1886. p. Z 6~/. 
THE WHIP-POOR- WILL,. 
On a low bough, above the window sill, 
Sang yester eve a lonely whip-poor-will ; 
An allegretto strain until the close, 
Repeated o’er and o’er without repose. 
And did he weary of the woods, and long 
To pipe in haunts of men a little song 
And wed it to the moonlight pale and still? 
Whip-poor-will ! whip-poor-will ! whip-poor-will ! 
Ah ! who was Will that he should come to woe ? 
Perchance, a Quaker bird — ’twas long ago— 
The changing years their promises fulfill 
To every May is sent the whip-poor-will. 
In tender shades of green the earth is drest, 
The sun sifts gold around the simpleest nest ; 
And all the birds are joyous ; why must he 
Mid cheery blossoms pipe a threnody ? 
Ah ! who can tell— not all in night time sing, 
Not all are larks with sunward soaring wing ; 
In nature’s concert each his part nrast fill, 
And the great Master taught the Whip-poor-will. 
-Bosto n.^!, W83 pW) 
