262 Twelve Months With 



was frozen hard, and the grass filled with light 

 snow. The nest contained three eggs. How the 

 bird can keep the eggs warm and bring them to 

 incubation under such circumstances is a mystery, 

 and the little larks must be a hardy lot to with- 

 stand the rough weather of late February and early 

 March. 



These birds generally may be seen the year 

 round, but in February when birds are scarce, they 

 begin mating, and may then be found in consider- 

 able numbers in their accustomed haunts. 



Being the first of all our small perching birds to 

 nest, they have an unusual claim upon our interest 

 and affections. 



Among the first spring birds that sometimes 

 return to us as early as February is the bluebird. 

 Sarah Piatt, after hearing one of the European 

 larks sing, compares its song with the velvety, 

 chuckling gurgle of our bluebird, very much to 

 the advantage of the latter : 



"If this be all, for which I've listened long, 



Oh, spirit of the dew! 

 You did not sing to Shelley such a song 

 As Shelley sung to you. 



Oh, Lark of Europe, downward fluttering near, 



Like some spent leaf at best, 

 You'd never sing again if you could hear 



My Blue-Bird of the West!" 



