MARCH WINDS 



not see a single red epaulet in the gray 

 light, and listened in vain for that melo- 

 dious " kong-quer-ree " which no other 

 bird can sing, I knew them as well by 

 their call of " chut-chuck," which is 

 equally characteristic. 



A flock of goldfinches lighted in the 

 pines with much twittering and sugges- 

 tions of the summer flight-note of " per- 

 chicoree." But that is no more than they 

 have been doing all winter. In a moment, 

 though, the twittering changed. A melo- 

 dious note began to come into it, and soon 

 several in the flock were singing rival 

 songs as sweet, though I do not think as 

 loud, as those they will sing when June 

 warmth sets the whole bird world a-choir- 

 ing. It was a happy note in the cool spring 

 air, for it was more than a spring song. 

 The bluebirds and song sparrows voice 

 that, but the song of the goldfinch is a 



