AN ARCADIAN CALENDAR 



of a band leading a rout of other birds through the 

 leafless woods, a motley crew of blue, great, marsh and 

 cole tits, with nuthatches, tree-creepers, and golden- 

 crested wrens, enjoying a hunt with a zest like that of 

 hounds in cry. So sociable is Bottle-Tom that two 

 pairs have been known to share one nest. 



THROUGH all the roarings of young March the 

 chaffinch, now in brilliant nuptial vestment, 

 His has been singing his jolly song, a song of 



Merry Spring as truly as the yellow hammer's, 

 Note and distinctive in the rising chorus for 



its rollicking character. Short and ringing, 

 always the same, there is not a trace of pathos in the 

 quick, jumbled notes. Jollity, not sentiment, seems the 

 motive, in spite of one neat translation of the song, 

 " Sweet, sweet Bring -my- pretty- love -to -meet- me - 

 here." And it may well be that the cock chaffinch takes 

 love lightly as is suggested by his name, " ccelebs." 



A STARLING on a chimney-pot on a bright March 

 morning makes some of the j oiliest music 

 The of the season, and cuts a gallant figure, as 



Sociable the sun glitters on his iridescent greenery. 

 Starling Matins finished, he amuses himself by 

 stuffing straw into a hole under the eave. 

 Nesting-time makes a big break in one of his strongest 

 instincts his love of a crowd. But he must find a hole 

 for his nest: and the wonder is that there are holes 

 enough for the starling hosts. An inveterate hole- 

 stealer, he will even drive the diligent green wood- 

 peckers from tree-holes they have newly excavated. 



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