heard before each call.” 1 Dr. C. W. Townsend writes “The 
song when heard near at hand is very sweet and clear, each 
song being preceeded by a faint, short chuck. When disturbed 
the bird gives a series of enquiring chucks .” 2 
My own experience shows a somewhat wider variation in 
the use of the chuck, than is indicated by the brief notes of 
these authorities. One bird I am very familiar with, explodes 
the chuck out of the stillness with such emphasis, and at such 
an interval before his song, that my family and I have time to 
come to attention and exchange glances of expectancy before 
the song rings out. This bird uses the chuck before a group 
of five or six phrases with almost invariable regularity, and 
frequently chucks without singing at all. He also chucks when 
disturbed, as described by Dr. Townsend, but I have noticed 
a difference in emphasis and character, between this chuck and 
the one used with the song. I am certain I have heard this 
bird, each of the past three years. 
Another bird, noticable for the extreme speed with which he 
delivers his song, seldom chucks at the start of his performance. 
Starting slowly, and slightly increasing the speed, he calls 
about ten times, unbroken by chucks, then breaks with one or 
two chucks and resumes the song at almost unbelieveable speed. 
The phrases run together, in such a way as to give the impression 
of one continuous sound. This bird’s average song is about 
seventy-five repetitions of “whip-poor-will”; once I counted 
eighty-nine. 
A third individual has a clearly defined fourth syllable in 
his call and is as easily recognizable as a person who stutters. 
A fourth bird, which I had not heard previous to June of this, 
year, gives a most slovenly song. He slurs his phrases until 1 , 
the result is only to be described as “whip-oor-eel.” 
It has always seemed to me that while an attempt to describe 
the song of a bird in written words may be satisfactory to the 
writer, it is usually quite the contrary to others who try to. 
reconcile the description with the actual song. This is brought 
1 F. M. Chapman: “Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America ” p. 238- 
1901. 
2 Charles Wendell Townsend: “The Birds of Essex County Massa¬ 
chusetts” p. 227-1905. 
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