1902 
April 11 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* * 
* * * 
The Phoebe at Ball*s Hill appears to have chosen the 
stone stable (built last autumn) as his summer home but I do 
not think that he has as yet secured a mate. He is, as I 
have already noted, a cheerful and persistent singer; more so , 
I think, than any of the other birds in this neighborhood* 
The songs of different males of this species do not vary 
appreciably in either form or tone. All of them have two 
notes which are usually given alternately — phoe-bee-e ? 
(with rising inflection), phoe-ba (in lower key and falling 
inflection). The first note is invariably of three syllables , 
the middle one being the least conspicuous and uttered in a 
rolling tone. Our cabin bird sometimes repeats the second 
note three or four times in succession before alternating 
again. 
********** 
Shortly after sunset, as I was nearing the cabin, 
following the river path, I saw about 60 yards ahead of me 
standing erect in the middle of this path a fine cock par¬ 
tridge. He had evidently come down from the hill to drink, 
for he was on the very edge of the water^ which had partly 
crossed the path to-day. I stopped and watched him for 
several minutes. He evidently saw me, for he seemed ill at 
ease and for some time kept up the peculiar low growling 
sound which Partridges make when disturbed or suspicious. 
/J 
