FEBRUARY OUTINGS. 63 
My next outing occurred on the nineteenth, 
when the weather had turned colder, and snow was 
falling, mingled with sleet; yet several song- 
sparrows trilled softly in the marsh. On the twenty- 
third crow blackbirds were seen, and on the twenty- 
fourth a turtle-dove was cooing meditatively, and 
the song-sparrows were holding another opera festi- 
val. The last days of February became cold again, 
and March brought several severe storms ; but I think 
none of the hardy, adventurous birds named, retreated 
to a warmer clime, even if they did regret having left 
their winter quarters a little prematurely. 
