BURROUGHS JOHN Autograph Letter Signed to Dear Sir

Sale 2573 - Lot 138

Price Realized: $ 406

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 300 - $ 400

"THE PHOEBE NOTE OF THE CHICKADEE IS UTTERED BY THE FEMALE" BURROUGHS, JOHN. Autograph Letter Signed, to "Dear Sir," explaining that it was by observation that he formed his opinion that the chickadee's "phoebe-note" is made by the female only, admitting that he might be in error, and expressing interest in his studies of carefully-observed birds. 2 pages, 8vo, written on the first and third pages of a folded sheet; horizontal folds. West Park, NY, 1 March 1888

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"It is only an impression of mine that the phoebe note of the chickadee is uttered by the female. I have no proof. I do not remember what I say about it in the article you refer to. I did not know as the article had been published. I charged the editor to be sure & send me proof, & if I have said positively that the female alone makes the note, I am vexed that I did not have a chance to correct or modify the statement in the proof. I got my impression by observing a pair of chickadees that one season nested near my house & that came under my notice many times a day. . . . [T]he note has decidedly a feminine sound. But for all that I may be in error. . . ."