If 
WHEN THEY COME IN THE SPRING 
In the long, cold winter of the New England 
and Middle States, not many birds are usually 
seen. In the cities there is always the English 
sparrow, and in the country, now and then a 
chickadee, or a woodpecker, or a small flock of 
goldfinches. 
But very early in the spring, long before grass 
is green, even while snow is on the ground, the 
birds begin to come. 
Some morning a robin will appear, standing 
up very straight on a fence or tree, showing his 
bright red breast and black cap, flirting his tail, 
and looking as if he were glad to be back in his 
old home. 
Then perhaps the same day will come the 
hoarse chack of a blackbird, and two or three will 
fly over and alight in a big bare tree, looking, it 
may be, for a good place to build a bird city. 
Soon will be heard the sweet little song of the 
song sparrow or the bluebird, and then we shall 
