Rural School Leaflet 



1067 



phcebe, whose notes are harsher and lower, more decided and more con- 

 tented. The phcebe looks much like the pewee, but he has a little trick 

 of pumping his tail up and down when on a telephone wire or a twig, 

 which distinguishes him at once. How the phcebes that I have watched 

 many a day seem a part of the rocky ledge and the still gorge that are 

 near the gray stone house ! 



Let us imagine that we are all together and about to go into the homelike 

 dwelling that seems to welcome us as we enter. We can sit about the 

 fireplace while we talk of the on-coming spring and all that you will do 

 when the wonder days are really here. Some of the more important 

 things to consider are as follows : 



Color. — The changes of color in the 

 landscape — how the hills become more 

 distinct — how the trees show life in 

 every tender twig full of rich color. 



Sounds. — Who will hear new notes in 

 the outdoor voices, the chickadee and 

 the sparrow and the rest? Soon the 

 little tree-frog will send its shrill call 

 from the marshes, the crow will caw with 

 spirit, the first robin will sing from the 

 tree, spring will be here. We have loved 

 the winter and have grown strong through 

 its vigorous companionship. We know 

 well its still, white fields, with occasional 

 song of wind and pine and a rare bird 

 note, but the sounds of spring are, perhaps, more welcome. 



The burst of spring. — Indeed, the spring may seem to come all at once 

 and there will be so much to do: we shall follow the merry, boisterous 

 winds or the gentle ones; we shall listen to the woodpecker tapping away 

 in the woodlot; we shall smell the new-plowed field; we shall follow the 

 brook and watch the rain and look on while the green things grow. 



Trees. — Every boy and girl should watch at least three trees this year. 

 Have in mind the horse-chestnuts, alders, and poplars. A few sugges- 

 tions that will give you something to think about in connection with 

 these trees will help : 



1. How many horse-chestnut trees are there in your neighborhood? 

 Find out by looking for them and by inquiry. 



2. What time of year does a horse-chestnut blossom? 



3. How many leaflets are there on a horse-chestnut leaf? 



4. For what is this tree used? 



5. The alders are related to the birch trees. If you can find leaves of 



Horse-chestnut 



