A BIRD-LOVERS APRIL. 221 



there a flock ; but in some way — I should be 

 glad to have anybody tell me how — the word 

 had passed from company to company that after 

 sundown Friday night all hands would set out 

 once more on their northward journey. There 

 was one man, at least, who missed them, and 

 in the comparative silence which followed their 

 departure appreciated anew how much they had 

 contributed to fill the wet and chilly April morn- 

 ings with melody and good cheer. 



The snow-birds tarried longer, but from this 

 date became less and less abundant. For the 

 first third of the month they had been as nu- 

 merous, I calculated, as all other species put 

 together. On one occasion I saw a large com- 

 pany of them chasing an albino, the latter dash- 

 ing wildl}^ round a pine-tree, with the whole 

 flock in furious pursuit. They drove him off, 

 across an impassable morass, before I could get 

 close enough really to see him, but I presumed 

 him to be of their own kind. As far as I could 

 make out he was entirely white. For the mo- 

 ment it lasted, it was an exciting scene ; and I 

 was especially gratified to notice with what ex- 

 treme heartiness and unanimity the birds dis- 

 countenanced their wayward brother's hetero- 

 doxy. I agreed with them that one who cannot 

 be content to dress like other people ought not 

 to be allowed to live with them. The world is 

 large, — let him go to Rhode Island ! 



