Impressions 



that many of them have an abundance of new 

 leaves. The delicate light green and yellowish 

 or golden green on the elms, beeches and oaks 

 have all the effect of inflorescence and the 

 woods as seen from my hill-top yard are beauti- 

 ful beyond the ordinary leafiness of mid-sum- 

 mer. If mankind, more generally, would take 

 a hint from this occasional phenomenon and 

 deck themselves anew with the cheerfulness of 

 youth, there would be brighter sunshine, in and 

 out of doors. 



Of far more importance to me than my neigh- 

 bors is to learn the effect, if any, of this new 

 foliage upon the birds. I cannot positively as- 

 sociate it with them as cause and effect, so far 

 as their general activity and cheerfulness are 

 concerned, for there is the question of coinci- 

 dence; but this is the banner year for birds, so 

 far as my records, since 1874, show. Never 

 have there been so many individuals and all the 

 nesting species have been represented. To- 

 day, July 22d, when ordinarily we must not 

 expect much singing of birds, there is not a 

 moment of silence. As I write it is now 

 mid-forenoon not only the wrens, but the 

 cardinal, song-sparrow, thrush, cat-bird, wood- 



101 



