SPRING ARRIVAL OF THE BIRDS. 21 



sweet notes welled out in wild rhythm, while his whole 

 body vibrated in ecstasy at his own music. Instead of 

 appearing disturbed at my presence, he seemed to 

 understand that he was giving pleasure, for he poured 

 out song after song, all the time coming down on the 

 limbs, nearer and nearer, until I could have reached 

 him with my hand. On leaving I only regretted my 

 inability in some measure to reward the gifted minstrel 

 for the rare entertainment he had given, making, as it 

 did, the world brighter and better. 



The Hudsonian sparrow {Junco hiemalis) arrived here 

 several days ago. Although few in number, they are 

 conspicuous by their rich color and peculiar markings. 

 The back is a dark slate, almost blue black, while the 

 lower part of the body, and also the bill, are nearly 

 white. The lateral quills in the tail are white, and show 

 in flight much like those of the grass finch. They gen- 

 erally make their appearance in the morning, coming 

 in small flocks during the night. They choose ravines, 

 thick copses, hedges, or other sheltered places, during 

 this weather, but those that do not go farther north 

 for the summer will soon separate in pairs to begin nest 

 building. Until recently these sparrows have not been 

 credited with remaining through the summer in any 

 considerable numbers as far south as this, but I have 

 found their nests in several different counties in Central 

 and Western ISTew York, though generally in cooler, 

 damper regions. Here they often raise two broods in 

 a season, sometimes three. Their nests are placed on 

 the ground ,and are always models in form and finish. 



