22 A SUBURBAN RAMBLE 



branch he can find, looking up into the sunshine and 

 pouring out the ecstasy of a glad heart ♦ Though 

 abundant everywhere and profuse with his melody 

 the Song Sparrow is always welcome as the spring* 

 No other songster so well interprets the spirit of the 

 season* 



Some less familiar visitors are active in the 

 suburban brushwood* The Junco, dull and darkly 

 grey, is yet conspicuous among the naked branches* 

 He is singing now, and his low warble has the charm 

 of rarity, though but a modest musical performance* 

 The Junco^s light brown beak seems an odd contrast 

 with his dull colours, and he makes an enlivening 

 display of white feathers as he flits into the Ever- 

 greens* Nuthatches are creeping about on the Oaks, 

 picking out the cocoons that are ready to awaken 

 with the returning warmth — the brightest of the 

 winter residents, who draw near in pity with the 

 advent of spring* 



Among the scattered decay of the past year there 

 is abundant evidence of nature's foresight* The 

 ground leaves of the Asters have sustained their 

 vitality under the snow through the long frosts, and 

 are showing signs of renewed youth* The Winter- 

 green has not even condescended to droop a leaf or 

 stem, and its scarlet berries are shown in contrast 

 against its rich green leaves* The Pipsissewa is also 

 strong and erect, as bright as its melodious Indian 



