March 
ern States. It is rather difficult to distinguish 
the two species. 
Such a bird, if serving little purpose in other 
respects to the ornithologist, at least accentuates 
the beauty, grace, and melody of the other 
species. 
On any warm bright day in March I was sure 
of hearing the luscious, bubbling song of the 
European goldfinch, which anticipates by many 
weeks its laggard brother of the Western World. 
The songs one hears in March are in some re- 
spects unrivalled by any others throughout the 
year—apart from their own merit, so filled with 
a glow of promise, like the delicate touch of 
crimson in the early dawn, that is lost in the 
full blaze of sunrise. There is a mysterious 
charm in hope that is not found in realization. 
Full often the blossom is fairer to look upon 
than the fruit. 
If most of the species must be accused of 
being ‘‘ fair weather’’ birds, this cannot be 
predicated of the chickadee; for any day, be it 
cold or warm, in sunshine or in storm, you 
may hear his irrepressible outbreak. All win- 
ter long I have found him in overflowing good 
spirits, and never in gayer mood than in a cold 
and driving snow-storm. He is the counterpart 
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