peabody-bird

Updated: June 3, 2025

There is a white-throated sparrow, on a little tree across the river, whistling his afternoon song "In linked sweetness long drawn out." Down in Maine they call him the Peabody-bird, because his notes sound to them like Old man Peabody, peabody, peabody. In New Brunswick the Scotch settlers say that he sings Lost lost Kennedy, kennedy, kennedy.

Henry Van Dyke - Little Rivers; a book of essays in profitable idleness

"This Sparrow, who guides you to his name by the dark spot on the breast as clearly as the Peabody-bird does by his white cravat, is every one's bird and every one's darling," said the Doctor, as if he were speaking of a dear friend.

Elliott Coues - Citizen Bird : Scenes from Bird-Life in Plain English for Beginners