has a dark purple mantle witli a cream-colored border. The wood- 

 cutter is most likely to see it because it feeds on the sap of trees 

 which have just been cut down. Scientists call it Vanessa (or 

 Euvanessa) antiopa. 



MARCH. 



LUCY LARCOM. 



March ! IMarch ! March ! They are coming 



In troops to the tune of the wind: 

 Red-headed woodpeckers drumming, 



Goki-crested thrushes behind; 

 Sparrows in brown jackets hopping 



Past every gateway and door; 

 Finclies with crimson caps stopping 



Just where they stopped years before. 



March ! Marcli ! ]\Iarch ! They are slipping 



Into their places at last: 

 Little white lily-buds, dripping 



Under the showers that fall fast; 

 Buttercups, violets, roses; 



Snowdrop and bluebell and pink; 

 Throng upon throng of sweet posies, 



Bending the dewdrops to drink. 



March ! :March ! March ! They will hurry 



Forth at the wild bugle-sound; 

 Blossoms and birds in a flurry, 



Fluttering all over the gromid. 

 Hang out your flags, birch and willow ! 



Shake out your red tassels, larch ! 

 Up, blades of grass, from your pillow ! 



Hear who is calling you — March ! 



ALICE G. McCLOSKEY 



460 



