Lake Umbagog. 1909. June 13, ster, also. It is undeniable that his best notes do not equal the Songs of the Hermit, Swainson's and Wilson's Thrushes Compared best that the Hermit can produce, but unlike the Hermit he never at— tempts what he is not certain of achieving, and he utters no notes which are not musical. Hence his song, as a whole, is, to my ears, the more finished and flawless of the two. Moreover, there is much less difference in individual merit among different individuals of Swainson's Thrush than those of the Hermit. Very many Hermits are de— cidedly inferior performers, and some are almost trying to listen to. Scarce more than one bird out of an average dozen is a wholly satisfac- tory musician but he, of course, is worth going far to hear. Swainson's Thrushes, on the other hand, sing so nearly alike that it is difficult to distinguish one from another, and all are delightful and impressive vocalists. Two males regularly answer one another across the placid waters of our little cove at morning and evening, and more or less often throughout the day: Their rich contralto voices fill me with delight, they are so perfectly controlled and modulated and so full of dignity and calm. When the only Veery in the cove joins in the con- cert, his voice sounds thin and trifling by comparison. On the whole I am inclined to conclude that while the very best songs of the Hermit are undeniably much more beautiful and thrilling than anything that 56