50 
BIRDS 
The Patridge is undoubtedly acquainted 
with the same process of reasoning; for, 
like the Vesper-Bird, she, too, nests in 
open, unprotected places, avoiding all 
show of concealment,—coming from the 
tangled and almost impenetrable parts of 
the forest, to the clean, open woods, where 
she can command all the approaches and 
fly with equal ease in any direction. 
One of the most marvellous little song¬ 
sters whose acquaintance I claim is the 
White-Eyed Flycatcher. He seems to 
have been listened to by unappreciative 
ears, for I know no one who has made 
especial mention of him. His song is not 
particularly sweet and soft; on the con¬ 
trary, it is a little hard and shrill, like 
that of the Indigo-Bird or Oriole; but 
for fluency, volubility, execution, and 
power of imitation, he is unsurpassed 
(and in the last-named particular un¬ 
equalled) by any of our Northern birds. 
His ordinary note is forcible and empha¬ 
tic, but, as stated, not especially musical: 
Chick-a-re’r-chick, he seems to say, hid¬ 
ing himself in the low, dense under¬ 
growth, and eluding your most vigilant 
