The Birds' Calendar 



with chickadees, snow-birds, white-throats, and 

 any others of peaceable disposition. 



Two days after arrival it began singing, not 

 with the long preliminary skirmishings of twit- 

 terings and half-voiced effects so common, but 

 lusty and clear. Its musical ability was a glad 

 surprise, although I have heard it so highly 

 commended, far surpassing all other sparrows in 

 fine modulation and a peculiarly full, luscious, 

 and flute-like quality of tone, tinged with a de- 

 licious plaintiveness. The song of the fox spar- 

 row is more like a wild spring flower than any- 

 thing one has heard thus far in the year. If its 

 notes should fall to the ground and take root, 

 they would certainly spring up as hepaticas or 

 something of the sort. These little creatures 

 win admiration too by singing in all weathers ; 

 and throughout the year one will seldom hear 

 more spontaneous, rich, and delicate strains than 

 those that come from this passing visitor, amid 

 the leafless trees and under the gloomy clouds 

 of March. 



During the remaining days of the month rob- 

 ins became quite abundant, but I did not hear 

 their song till the 26th. By that time the snow- 

 bird, a soft-voiced little specimen, was indulg- 

 ing in a variety of fine twitters as it busily moved 

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