CONCORD 
1892 
August 15 
Early in the morning I heard Song Sparrows singixg 
of the 
vigorously but at wide intervals. After 9 A. M. there was 
literally no sound from these or other birds during the 
dinging 
entire forenoon, nothing’ in fact save the z-ing monotone 
season 
of innumerable grasshoppers and the chirping of the crickets. 
As there was nothing in the weather conditions to account 
for this universal silence, it is evident that yesterday 
was literally the end of the singing season of the birds 
about our house, for this is the first morning when the 
Warbling Vireo and the Chipping and Song Sparrows have not 
sung at short intervals during the greater part of the forenoon. 
Woodland 
Judging by the experience of this season, I conclude 
birds cease 
that the midsummer silence falls first on the woodlands and 
singing 
thicket-bordered fields and lanes, next on the gardens and 
first, those 
orchards, and last on the river meadows where the Short- 
of gardens 
billed Marsh Wrens at least may be counted on to sing for 
and orchards 
a week or more longer. Perhaps the Goldfinch should be 
next, those 
similarly credited to the fields and orchards but he is not 
of river 
common here and curiously enough the few individuals that I 
meadows 
have seen of late have not sung at all. 
and thickets 
The Quail has been wholly silent for a week or 
last 
more past. I am surprised at this, for I had an impression 
oAi 
that his "bob-white" wa.s usually heard through this entire 
month 
