lU 



lar in these two birds, the grass-fincli lacks tlie merry abandon tliat 

 characterizes the song-sparrow's song, but has instead a deeper 

 chord, whicli is called by some people sadness. The bird may be 

 easily recognized in the fields by the white tail-feathers, wliich 

 always show in flight. It is about the size and general color of the 

 song-sparrow. 



-:f 7f 



By the time tlie foregoing birds are comparatively common, and 

 the maple bnds are burst and the lilacs swelling, the gay purple 

 iinch appears. lie is not purple at all, but has a crimson head, 

 which fades on the lower breast through rosy pink into pure white. 

 He is fond of spruces and larches, feeding greedily on the tender 

 buds as well as on tlie ants and scale insects that infest them. His 

 song is a fine one, and in addition to the charm of being poured 

 forth in full flight, is so long and intricate that one finds himself 

 holding his breath as the burst of melody continues, as if to help 

 the little fellow catcli up with his music. 



•«• 4f w 

 Along the banks of some lake or stream, sitting idly on a tele- 

 graph pole or wire, rising and settling, elevating and depressing his 



long parted top-knot, a patriarchal old 

 kingfisher may be seen silently await- 

 ing the gleam of a shiner in the water 

 below (Fig. 76). Or perhaps you may 

 first see him fiying like a big wood- 

 pecker, screaming his chattering cry 

 high in the air, or scaling perilously 

 close to the water under the fringing 

 hemlock branches that overhang the 

 stream. His large size, slate-blue back, 

 loud notes and characteristic flight 

 make him a hard bird to mistake in any case. 



•X- -Jf vf 



There are many other birds which pass us on their way nortli, 

 but they rather herald the summer than the breaking of spring. 

 The following list of spring migrations is taken from Mr. Chapman's 



506 



76. — Kingfisher. 



