58 IN BIRD LAND. 
IV. 
FEBRUARY “OUTINGS. 
F I were not afraid of the ridicule of the cynic, 
I should begin this February chronicle with an 
exclamation of delight; but in these days, when so 
many of the so-called cultured class have taken for 
their motto, V7 admirari, one must try to repress 
one’s enthusiasm, or be scoffed at, or at least pat- 
ronized, as young and inexperienced. Yet it would 
be out of the question for the genuine rambler to 
keep the valve constantly upon his buoyant feelings. 
If he did so, he would be wholly out of tune with 
the jubilant mood of bird and bloom and wave 
around him. 
Almost every day of February, 1891, was a gala- 
day for me, on account of the large number of birds 
in song at that time. ‘The weather was not always 
pleasant, but the month came in blandly, bringing 
on its gentle winds many birds from their southern 
winter-quarters ; and as they had come, they made 
up their minds to stay. My notes begin with the 
eleventh of the month, and my narrative will begin 
with that date. In the evening I strolled out to my 
favorite swamp. On my arrival all was quiet; but 
soon the song-sparrows, seeing that a human auditor 
