A Book on Birds 



whistling away as though it were the middle 

 of July. And I have seen others at more 

 distant points — once as many as five or 

 six in a single flock. 



As for the Song Sparrow, he is often in 

 evidence here and there and everywhere 

 during the winter. The while his voice is 

 gone he keeps in absolute seclusion. But 

 two or three warm days are sufficient to 

 thaw him out and bring it back in pretty 

 good shape; and just the moment this 

 happens, he loses no time in coming from 

 his hiding-places and making it known. 



One of this species has been doing this 

 for several seasons on a vacant lot nearby 

 my house, using the same wild-cherry tree 

 on each succeeding occasion for his delight- 

 ful vocal preludes to spring. 



And may he continue the charming habit 

 in other years to come — sturdiest, bravest 

 singer of the fields! 



Others of these — our own summer birds 

 that never go away through the winter, 

 are the well-known English Sparrow, the 

 Crow, the Quail, the Downy Woodpecker, 



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