was: of 
the Grass 
Finches 
Whippoor- 
will 
Birds sing 
most freely 
in cool 
weather at 
his season 
Twilight was deepening into night when I turned 
back and entered the large pasture just beyond Clark's but 
the Grass Finches (two of them) were still singing there. 
Approaching within 20 yards of one which I could dimly see 
sitting on a large boulder, I lay down on the turf and 
listened until it ceased. One must be very near this bird 
to get the best effect of its song. I know of no other 
sound in Mature which so rests and soothes me. It is like 
the touch of a soft hand and steals through all the senses, 
quieting the nerves and bringing peace and rest. 
After my bird had finished singing, he joined 
his mate on the ground within a few yards of me where both 
rambled about for several minutes among the short thin 
grass every now and then raising their heads to look at me. 
May Heaven keep them from the villainous black cat which 
their 
I found in, and drove from this pasture home when I 
entered it this evening. Just before the Grass Finches 
ceased singing, a Whippoorwill began in the woods beyond 
Dutton's. I heard it at frequent intervals, but the sorg 
was very brief, from ten to fifteen "whippoorwills" only. 
It became silent after dark. 
It is worthy of remark that our birds sing most 
freely and generally at all hours on very worm days e arly 
in the season — at least- up to the middle of June -— and 
later in cool weather. The singing during the past two days 
and especia.lly this evening has been perhaps remarkable for 
this season but I have noted the same thing — in the marked 
effect of a change to cooler weather in the early summer — 
in former years. 
