The Birds and Poets 263 



February begins the mating and nesting season 

 which is to last with some of our birds through to 

 September. It also brings the first of our birds 

 back from the South, so that the claim upon our 

 affections of the old gray, fitful month is large and 

 urgent. It stimulates our first interest in the 

 returning season of birds and flowers, which will 

 reach its flood tide of happiness by April. 



Let us dismiss old Winter, and usher in bluff 

 March, with these lines by William Gilmore 

 Simms: 



"Now are the winds about us in their glee, 

 Tossing the slender tree; 

 Whirling the sands about his furious car, 

 March cometh from afar; 

 Breaks the sealed magic of old winter's dreams, 

 And rends his glassy streams; 

 Chafing with potent airs, he fiercely takes 

 Their fetters from the lakes, 

 And with a power by queenly Spring supplied 

 Wakens the slumbering tide. 



With a wild love he seeks young Summer's charms 



And clasps her in his arms; 



Lifting his shield between, he drives away 



Old Winter from his prey; 



The ancient tyrant whom he boldly braves 



Goes howling to his caves; 



And, to his northern realm compelled to fly, 



Yields up the victory; 



Melted are all his bands, o'erthrown his towers, 



And March comes, bringing flowers." 



