The Birds' Calendar 



not to call anything in nature common, in tlie 

 contemptuous sense. 



In spring the ornithologist is ravenous for 

 the sight of bright colors. There is starvation 

 in his eye, that has lived the winter long upon 

 a diet of black and white, gray and brown. 

 How it absorbs the ruddy tinge of the first 

 robin and the delicious hue of the early blue- 

 bird, as the thirsty earth drinks water ; and 

 when, soon after, the yellow red-poll appeared, 

 never before had yellow seemed so rich. There 

 is a luxuriance in the brilliant tints that com- 

 ports with the mood of a softer climate, with 

 its foliage, fruits, and flowers. But, after all, 

 black and white are more vigorous, and the 

 eye, after being satiated with summer delica- 

 cies, finds equally welcome the plainer fare that 

 comes with the crisp, invigorating weather. 



Then, too, it is a pleasure to get back one's 

 winter friends, which are quite as companion- 

 able, if not as vocal, as the more talented 

 ''guests of summer." Indeed, the greater 

 rarity of the winter birds establishes a peculiar 

 sense of fellowship that one is less likely to feel 

 in summer ; while there is that impression of 

 superior virility in the character of the former 

 that compensates for the lack of other charms. 

 296 



