FIRST-COMERS. 37 



of swollen tirooks, mingle in our ears as we pick our way 

 along the muddy paths ; until, some bright April morning, 

 we discover that surly Winter is gone, and coy Spring is 

 shyly waiting for us to bid her welcome. 



In this company of the heralds of this admirable change 

 of the seasons, none have a better part than the birds, whose 

 wings bear beauty and song. Half a dozen of these mes- 

 sengers the bluebird, the wren, the dove, and the black- 

 birds are especially first-comers, and to them I ask atten- 

 tion. The song-sparrow also belongs here, by good right, 

 but he enjoys an essay all to himself elsewhere. 



Among the very earliest are the familiar bluebirds ; in- 

 deed, they may occasionally be found all winter long in 

 sunny fields. By All -fools -day they have become corn* 

 mon, and are seeking their mates, which are soon found. 

 Meanwhile, from every field, and about the yet desolate 

 gardens, is heard the bluebird's cheery voice. It is a hap- 

 py, contented warble, and, though no great credit belongs 

 to the singer as a musician, his tender melody is among the 

 most delightful of vernal sounds. There is an ubiquity or 

 ventriloquistic peculiarity about this song whether due to 

 its quality or to the capricious breeze upon which it is usu- 

 ally borne, I do not know which tends to make its source 

 indefinite. You may hear the notes on a bright March 



