SONGS OF 
a day during early June, but oftenest at 
twilight. The song in quality and general 
cast is like that of its congener, the water- 
accentor, which, however, I believe is never 
delivered on the wing. From its habit of 
AMERICAN 
BIRDS. 125 
they never seem to have suspected the iden- 
tity of the singer. 
Other birds that sing on the wing are the 
meadow-lark, goldfinch, purple finch, indigo- 
bird, Maryland yellowthroat, and woodcock. 
ROBIN. 
Singing at twilight, and from the swift, 
darting motions of the bird, I am inclined 
to think that in it we have solved the 
mystery of Thoreau’s «night-warbler,» that 
puzzled and eluded him for years. Emerson 
told him he must beware of finding and 
booking it, lest life should have nothing 
more to show him. The older ornithologists 
must have heard this song many times, but 
The flight-song of the woodcock I have 
never heard, but it is described as being 
very pleasing, delivered in the twilight of 
early spring. The meadow-lark sings in 
a level flight, half hovering in the air, giv- 
ing voice te a rapid medley of lark-like notes. 
The goldfinch also sings in a level flight, 
beating the air slowly with its wings broadly 
open, and pouring out its jubilant, ecstatic 
