94 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 



world during January will be practically unchanged until the latter 

 part of February. Then, should there be a period of mild weather, 

 we may expect to hear the Song Sparrows and Bluebirds inaugurate 

 the season of song. An unusually warm day earlier in the month may 

 have tempted either or both of these birds prematureh^ to welcome 

 spring, but as a rule we do not hear them until late in F'ebruary, 

 and then only under favorable conditions. 



The songs of these birds bid us keep watch for the earlier 

 migrants, the Robin, the Purple Grackle and the Red-winged 

 Blackbird, birds which pass the winter such a short distance south 

 of us that they appear at the first sign of returning spring. Further 

 confidence in the growth of the new year is shown by the Great 

 Horned Owl, one of our less common species, which begins nest- 

 ing late in Februar}- or early in March. 



In spite of these movements among the birds, February is, 

 generally speaking, a winter month, and it is only in exceptional 

 years that we find much change in our bird-life. 



BIRDS OF THE MONTH. 



Permanent Residents, see page 85, 



]Vinter Residents, see page 8/. 

 Migrants arriz.'ing from the South. 

 February 15 to 28, in favorable seasons. 

 Purple Grackle. Red-winged Blackbird. 



Rusty Blackbird. Robin. 



March Bird-Life. — Although March is sure to witness a general 

 northward moA'ement among the birds, the date of their arrival is as 

 uncertain as the weather of the month itself. Continued severe 

 weather prevents an advance, which a higher temperature occa- 

 sions. It is well, therefore, to watch the weather predictions, 

 since birds will quickly follow in the wake of a warm wave. 



AX'hen 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 suc- 

 cessive thaws ha\e rendered the earth soft enough for the Wood- 

 cock's probe, we may expect to find hini in favorable localities 

 searching for his fare of earthworms. With the advent of in- 

 sects, we may look for their enemy the Phoebe, and Meadowlarks, 

 Cowbirds and other March Migrants may be found. 



The weather which hastens the arri\al of birds from the 



