Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-07-08

AnssicAs BnD-sose following remark,
were made by rsR. o Dsvidson, before a selec
company Of ladies and gentlemen, assembled IN
the parlor Of the Avenue House, on Tuesday eve
ming, the 5th inst, to hear performed for the ars
time the Song Of fhe Wood Taynsh:', Z 90
| have always rejoiced In the sublime presenc,
Of Nature, the vastness Of her immeasufable en-
tent and her magnificent splendor Inspiring M,
with feelings Of profound admiration and awe
tions and graceful motions astounding vet sussin
ing, my iaboFing mind the geometry of he,
countless organisms puzzling, vet pleasing, INV
%istnl eyssthe waving Of her gorgeous drapery
exciung IN my bosom thrilling delight-and the
music Of her suPernal voice charming my ever.
attentive ear. 90 .-..s..- = -.
Under such influences and feelings as these. no
0as should De surprised 70 learn that for many
70 oe composed entirely, IL possible from the notes
Of the Wood Thrush. This bird II indigenons h
Amesies, and beyond all question Is the most ad-
not mocker Of other birds, but has a sonp Of bis
own, consisting of seven or eight different strains
some OF which are beautiful beyond expression
ana all OF them are given in regular musical inter,
secret habits never or but seldom appearing in the
open fields, but keeping within the dense 7orests,
and always ceasing to sing and gliding away the
Instant ne sees any one, or hears any unusual
Several years ago, whilst residing at Columbus,
Mississippi made an effort TO obtsin the notes OF
TINS 1ird through the kind assistance Of profess
whom. after furnishing him with blank music
paper, visited the neighboring woodlands where
these delightful choristers abound In great num-
bers During that single excursion Mr.. M. pro-
iessed to have gathered all the strains Of this bird
but, for want Of time taste or some other cause
unknown to me, he never afterwards made any
use OF the materials thus acquired, and conse-
quenuy the attempt to originate the desired song
Not discouraged, however, I determined to
carry out my cherished design whenever favor
aoie circumstances should enable me to do So;
and I'm April last, l discovered by the sweet
strains OF this well-remembered songster issuing
from dense grove near the residence of Mrs.
sherwood, on the eastern border Of this city,
that he had already arrived from his distant
winter home I'm Southern Mexico and Guatemala.
And / immediately commenced the necessary
preparation for obtaining his notes-by first ascer-
aiming, rom various sources, the names Of sew
and the one with whom hrst became acquainted
was Prof. r. n Crouch, to whom at once made
known my object, and solicited his kind assist
ance. Soon afterwards made the acquaintance
Of Prof. Arthur Schott, Of George town, and at a
later period that of Prof John Esputn; to both of
whom l likewise freely disclosed my purpose,
and obtained the promise Of each to aid me az far
as his engagements would permit pr
From the time met with the first named gen
tlcnaD, he and myself, sometimes together and
something's separately, made great many visits TO
lux III every OlIcCUOn, WITHIN the Dis
trict Of Columbia, In Maryland, and mon the
Virginia side Of the Potomac opposite this city,
frequently traversing the forests on foot the dis.
lance OF ten or twelve miles-gathering a note
here and there from only few scattered thrushes,
some Of which were not the best singers among
this family of birds. And this course was puf.
sued until Prof. Crouch assured me that he had
obtained all the notes of any value in the song of
THIS bird. My excursions with Prof 9 SchOtt and
Esputa were not so numerous and consequently
their opportunities Of hearing and obtaining the
desired notes were not 50 good as those enjoyed
by Prof Crouch; and 10 this circumstance, to-
and high musical attainments Of the latter gen
tleman, l am indebted for the "Song Of the
WoOd-Thrush," and gladly avail myself of this
occasion to present to him my most grateful ac-
acknowledgements for the skilfuI manner i'm which
he has executed the difficult musical com posi- ton
now about to be performed for the fist time In
your hearing, the success Of which, like all such
efforts, must be determined by your Judgment
now, and that Of the general voice Of the people
after the publication Of the piece.
To Profs. Scott and Esputa also make my ac-
efforts in behalf Of my project and likewise tender
the same TO Prof. Spencer F. Baird, ornithologist
Of the Smithsonian Institution, and q. w Hin
man, Esq, assistant Congressional librarian, for
valuable sugg estions In furtherance of my design
during its accomp lshment.
1t only remains TO add that, having no knowl-
edge Of the science Of music my part Of this novel
enterprise has been limited to efforts In discover
ing the retreats Of the wild songsters and 10 writing
read disconnected from the air, in order that all
present may the better understand both when pre-
sented together: -s...
Song NJ The wooA. Thrush