Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-03
NOTABLE EVOLUTION.
PECULIAR MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT
OF THE COMMON ROBIN


Cousin, the Cstbede-A Musical Feafh-
cred FamiIy-Wonderfal Variations Of
Bird Music.
The remarkable power Of the catbird as
singer is known to all those who give it a safe
and welcome retreat Yet find even such
writers as Baird describing 1t after this man
ner: IAN American bird Of the thrush fam
lily, whose cry resembles the newing Of
catn In reality it is the mochng bird Of the
north, possessed Of the ability to sing what
ever notes he hears. Ihave them so perfectly
at home in my grounds, that their delicious
music Is heard at all hours Of the day, and
often in the middle Of the night. It is very
curious to hear one Of them MARBLE in low
key to himself what some other bird is sing
ing loudly. A few days since heard one
mimic a red squirrel, and he did it to Per-
lection. II he had not enjoyed the fun SO
well that he could not keep from hopping
about. should not have known which was
squirrel
did not, however, intend, except incid-
entally, to write about the catbird, Minus
Carolinensis. 1t, however, makes It easier
for US to conceive the possibility OF an evolu-
ton of superior vocahzation in his relatives,
when we consider his mastery ability. What
wish to record is remarkable development
in the case Of his cousin the common robin,
or migratory thrush. Every one knows
what clumsy singer he Is, having a rough,
see saw note, that be repeats with little vari-
ntion. For some reason the other birds give
him precedence in the morning song with
which daylight is greeted about $50 in June.
The first note comes always from the east-a
faint, far away cry: then another CRY Leaps
out Of q tree nearer you, and then another
and another. So the wave Of robin melody
moves westward, over the house and over
the land, preceding the rising sun, probably
from the Atlantic TO the Pacific. This song
Is peculiarly adapted to constitute natin
cry, being clear, strong and cordial But it
is not musical
LIKE ECMAy ARTICULATION.
In June Of 1887, crossing one Of my lawns,
heard cry so peculiarly like articulation
that was startled: Hear this birdiel Hear
this birdieI Hear this pretty birdieF' the
last notes being exquisitely rendered, with
wave and upward bend. / had never heard
such song before, and imagined new
species Of bird must have arrived; but after
careful examination, I found the singer to be
a verftable robin redbreast, and not q new
conner at all The song was repeated all the
summer, to the delight Of myself and friends.
OF course, I awaited the opening Of spring
with anxiety, to know If our birdie would re-
turn. Almost the first song Of spring, sure
enough, was one morning in April: Hear
this birdiel Hear this birdie" But, better
yet, it was apparent that the babes Of this
family were singing, not the old robins see
saw, but the new song. And now about my
place are three OF four Of our brides. What
was notable was not only the remarkable
evolution Of musical power, but a love for
music; for our birdie, unlike the robins in
general, sang all day, like the catbirCis- l
could hear one or more at almost any hour.
This drew my attention to the cause OF
the unexpected variation. John Burroughs
suggested that it might be the song taught
to one that had been Gagged and afterward
escaped; but am more inclined TO think that
it is natural variation or evolution, and
that the robin has great and undeveloped
power. 1t is g phlegnatic bird, that takes
the world easy, and is not likely to exert itself
in new directions. The catbird is fond OF
notice, likes to be whistled to and enjoys
answering back. He is likely to develop all
sorts Of new vocal accomplishments. But
the robin is really lazy, and does as little hard
work as possible. His nest is a clumsy affair,
e mere daub of mud and sticks. Why has he
begun this new song. Is it from being SO
constantly with catbirds, grossbeaks, orioles.
etc. for my nine acres are the paradise OF
birds. They are covered with fruits, hedges,
trees do not know, but believe, some such
cause to be at the bottom of the affair, and
that we may look for other developments
quite as remarkable.
ANOTHER INTERESTING CASE.
Within the month of June, while driving
about five miles from my home, l saw
robin sitting on q wayside fence and singing
q set Of notes most charmingly unlike any
thing I had ever heard; neither was it at all