SPRING JOTTINGS 159 



fragile cells that make up the cambium layer. It 

 is like the strength of Samson residing in his hair. 

 Saw one bee enter the hive with pollen on his back, 

 which he must have got from some open greenhouse ; 

 or had he found the skunk cabbage in bloom ahead 

 of me 1 



The bluebirds ! It seemed as if they must have 

 been waiting somewhere close by for the first warm 

 day, like actors behind the scenes, for they were 

 here in numbers early in the morning; they rushed 

 upon the stage very promptly when their parts were 

 called. No robins yet. Sap runs, but not briskly. 

 It is too warm and still; it wants a brisk day for 

 sap, with a certain sharpness in the air, a certain 

 crispness and tension. 



March 12. A change to more crispness and cool- 

 ness, but a delicious spring morning. Hundreds of 

 snowbirds with a sprinkling of song and Canada 

 sparrows are all about the house, chirping and lisp- 

 ing and chattering in a very animated manner. The 

 air is full of bird voices: through this maze of fine 

 sounds comes the strong note and warble of the 

 robin, and the soft call of the bluebird. A few days 

 ago not a bird, not a sound; everything rigid and 

 severe; then in a day the barriers of winter give 

 way, and spring comes like an inundation. In a 

 twinkling all is changed. 



Under date of February 27, 1881, I find this 

 note: " Warm; saw the male bluebird warbling 

 and calling cheerily. The male bluebird spreads 

 his tail as he flits about at this season, in a way to 



