308 In Touch with Nature. 



this continue ? It is an enormous change that is 

 wrought between October and January, and what 

 of the midwinter storms ? If there is actually a 

 storm, then even the south hill-side will be de- 

 serted ; but if it is but clear and cold, where the 

 thermometer ranges is of little moment. Because 

 you shiver and ache, even when wrapped in fur, 

 do not judge your neighbor as equally tender. 

 There are cakes and ale for our winter birds when 

 you look at Nature with a shudder, so desolate 

 is its every aspect. I have seen them on dress 

 parade with the mercury at zero. With grass as 

 brittle as spun-glass, and every twig encased in 

 ice, the cardinal grosbeak has headed the motley 

 troop, and every bird in the neighborhood has 

 marched along the hill showing its best paces to 

 whomsoever would look. Nor were they mute. 

 Not one but sang as joyously as ever the robin 

 greeted morning in the month of May. 



It is worth our while to meet birds when in 

 their winter-quarters. Why, as has been fancied, 

 should they be mopish and unentertaining ? It 

 would seem as if animal life was but sleep when 

 the cares of reproduction have passed, in many 



