THE BIRD-LIFE OF A YEAR. 15 



follow in the wake of a warm wave. When the 

 ice leaves our bays, ponds, and rivers. Ducks and 

 Geese will appear. Even before this event, the 

 Grackles, Red- winged Blackbirds, and Robins will 

 come in flocks and in song, and singing will become 

 general with the Song Sparrows and Bluebirds, 

 whose numbers will be greatly" increased. When 

 successive thaws have rendered the earth soft enough 

 for the Woodcock's probe, we may expect to find 

 him in favorable localities, searching for his fare 

 of earthworms. With the advent of insects, we 

 may look for their enemy, the Phoebe, and when 

 the frogs begin jieeping in the ponds and marshes, 

 we shall know that the spring migration is well 

 under way, and that Meadowlarks, Cowbirds, and 

 other March Migrants may be found for the seeking. 



To the lover of bird music the event of the month 

 will be the first Fox Sparrow song; heard at this 

 season it is a thrilling performance. 



The weather which hastens the arrival of birds 

 from the south, also prompts certain of our Winter 

 Visitants to begin their northward journey, and 

 after March we do not often see Redpolls, Snow- 

 flakes, and Northern Shrikes. 



BIRDS OF THE MONTH. 

 Permanent Residents (see page 6). 

 Winter Visitants (see page 7). 

 The following will leave for the north : 



Plate 

 No. 



34. fTorned Lark. 



50. Redpoll. I 58. Northern Shrike. 



50. Snowflake. 1 



Plate 

 No. 

 51. Pine Grosbeak. 



