Evening star., 1946-05-03
This and That
By Charles E. Trnce,DeH.

BETHESDA, Md.
Dear Sir:
Some of us have had an argument
about whether birds sing from the
ground.
"I say they do, if they want to, and
another declares-somewhat heatedly-
that they never do.
who is right?
'It seems to me that have seen and
heard many birds singing from the
ground, but I find it difficult to name
them, not being professional birdman
in any sense.
eff you can let me know about this
matter, will appreciate it, and know
many OF your other readers will. too.
Sincerely, j. McD."
r X. X
The idea that birds do not sing from
the ground is common error.
Why on earth shouldn't they, II they
want to? And that they often want to
any one can prove for himself, II he has
the time and inclination.
We recall that several years ago we
received letter from a correspondent,
after we had stated that we saw-and
heard-a wood thrush singing from the
ground.
wood thrushes never sing from the
ground" he snarled.
That very evening we saw-and heard
one singing beautifully with his feet
on the ground.
Our personal observation is that prac-
tically all songbirds which include most
of them around here-sing from the
ground, at least now and then.
Some OF them do it much more than
others, of course.
The dear old robin, Americas favor
ite bird, sings Justify in the evening, as
he hops around the lawn.
Ovenbirds often sing from the ground.
Various sparrows SO sing. These may
often be seen and heard; but many
other sorts do it, too, but not SO often,
nor so long at a time.
We have told how we watched a
white -throated sparrow singing from
beneath some rhododendrons.
He kept it up for an hour, and we
have heard him many times since,
singing either from the ground or from
rhody branch just few inches above
it.
It happened that there was q base
downstairs, into the lair Of the cent?
pedes, we had fine opportunity to
watch him, for our head was only a few
inches away from him, although he did
not know it.
We could see the white spot" swell out,
every time he took good breath.
This is the famous bird whose song
l. DO I~A ~ s,~<
sion-a lament for Canada.
"Ah, poor Canada, Canada, Canada," !"
he is supposed to sing, over and over
again.
Others claim he says other things, but
the fact is that he simply sings notes,
musical notes, clear and sweet.
The wood thrush often sings from the
ground, although he prefers to sing from
an elevation. Again, who wouldn't?
There is every reason, whether one is
bird or human singer, to sing from an
elevated position. It Is natural to want
to see around, when singing. Most opera
singers sing on their feet. A few have
scenes in which they sing while recum-
bant, but these scenes are not many. 1t
is difficult to sing while stretched out.
A bird has no such difficulty while on
the ground. He is solidly on his feet.
Birds, it must be admitted, do not sing
from the ground any way near as much
as they sing while on perch or ON
the wing. There is simple explanation.
Birds are too busy, mostly, seeking food,
while on the ground, to sing all the
time. Then, too, there is the matter Of
danger. Their centuries Of living have
taught them that to sing too much
while on the ground is to attract natural
| enemies.