50 TIMES OF MIGRATION. 



sliouldered and Red-tailed Hawks, Barred and Screech 

 Owls, Do\vnj and Ilairj Woodpeckers, Blue Jay, Crow, 

 Goldfinch, Song Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch, and 

 Chickadee. 



Generally speaking, the birds in the front rank of 

 the feathered army which soon wdll invade the land are 

 those whose winter quarters are farthest north, while 

 those that Avinter farthest south bring up the rear. 



From February 20 to March 10, therefore, we may 

 expect to see Purple Grackles, Robins, Bluebirds, and 

 Red-winged Blackbirds ; birds that have wintered but a 

 short distance south of us — if not with us — and who 

 have accepted the slightest encouragement from the 

 weather as an order to advance. All the first comers 

 will doubtless be males, this sex, as a rule, preceding the 

 females by several days. 



About the middle of March we may look for the 

 Woodcock, Meadowlark, Fox Sparrow, Cowbird, and 

 Phoebe ; their time of arrival being largely dependent 

 upon the temperature — warm weather hastening, and 

 cold weather retarding their movements. 



Toward the last of March, Wilson's Snipe, the King- 

 fisher, Mourning Dov^e, Swamp and Field Sparrows are 

 due. 



Early in April the Purple Finch, White-throated, 

 Yesper, and Chipping Sparrows will announce their re- 

 turn in familiar notes, and at the same time Tree Swal- 

 lows, Myrtle Warblers, Pipits, and Hermit Thrushes will 

 appear. They will soon be followed by Barn Swallows 

 and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. 



The migration is now well under way, and we go 

 to the field with the assurance of meeting some lately 

 arrived feathered friend almost daily. Between April 

 20 and 30 we will doubtless note among the newcomers, 

 tlie Green Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Whip-poor-will, 



