THE BIRD-LIFE OF A YEAR. 15 
follow in the wake of a warm wave. When the 
ice leaves our bays, ponds, and rivers, Ducks and 
Geese will appear. Even before this event, the 
Grackles, Red-wingéd Blackbirds, and Robins will 
come in flocks and in song, and singing will become 
general with the Song Sparrows and Bluebirds, 
whose numbers will be greatly increased. When 
successive thaws have rendered the earth soft enough 
for the Woodcock’s probe, we may expect to find 
him in favorable localities, searching for his fare 
of earthworms. With the advent of insects, we 
may look for their enemy, the Phoebe, and when 
the frogs begin peeping in the ponds and marshes, 
we shall know that the spring migration is well 
under way, and that Meadowlarks, Cowbirds, and 
other March Migrants may be found for the seeking. 
To the lover of bird music the event of the month 
will be the first Fox Sparrow song; heard at this 
season it is a thrilling performance. 
The weather which hastens the arrival of birds 
from the south, also prompts certain of our Winter 
Visitants to begin their northward journey, and 
after March we do not often see Redpolls, Snow- 
flakes, and Northern Shrikes. 
BIRDS OF THE MONTH. 
Pexmanent Resrpeyts (see page 6). 
Wrxrer Vistraxts (see page 7). 
The following will leave for the north: 
Plate Plate 
No. No. 
34. Horned Lark. 51. Pine Grosbeak. 
50. Redpoll. 58. Northern Shrike. 
50. Snowflake. 
