46 



Bird-Land Echoes. 



the next day — a brisk, bright winter morning — their 

 voices almost drowned the scolding of a crow that I 

 had unwittingly disturbed. 



The pine-finch is a little sparrow that, if it went 

 about alone or but two or three together, would be 

 quite overlooked ; indeed, when there are a great 

 many of them they will conduct themselves in such 

 a way as not to be at all conspicuous ; and if ever 

 there was an uncertain sparrow, this is the one. So 

 far as my experience goes, they are not to be looked 

 for. If you find them, well ; but it is useless to go 



about gazing at 



the tree-tops until 

 your neck aches, 

 with the expecta- 

 tion that sooner or 

 later you will find 

 a host of dusty, yellow- 

 clinging to the topmost 

 trees, and then, taking 

 flight, dotting the blue sky until out of sight. They 

 have always appeared to me to drop from the clouds 

 and then to seek this aiiy altitude again. Of course, 

 you are likely to see these birds at any time from 

 October to April, or earlier and later, but do not 

 expect it. Take so much of their presence as comes 

 in your way and be thankful, for they are cheerful 

 birds that make you wonder why people generally 

 have such a horror of winter days in the country, as 

 if leaves, green grass, and flowers were essential to 

 make the out-door world even tolerable. It is quite 



