'TWIXT COLD AND HEAT. 65 



pleasure, the iBly-catehers screech their indignation, and 

 neither appears to gain a decisive victory. 



Nevertheless, to hear these birds for the first time 

 does suggest that winter draws to a close. The late 

 T. A. Conrad, the geologist, always dated spring in New 

 Jersey from the pee-wee's arrival, ignoring the fact that 

 often the bird's appearance was followed by a foot of 

 snow. Once, when fossil-hunting, away from home, the 

 notes of this bird fell unexpectedly upon his ear, and he 

 recorded his impressions as follows, on the spur of the 

 moment: 



" Sweet promise of the sunny days, 

 Thy restless form is dear to me; 

 Though homely are thy plaintive lays, 

 Thy simple carol, brown pee- wee. 



*' I see thee build thy rustic fort 



Beneath the bridge's mouldering arch; 

 And joy to hear thy love's report 

 Above the boisterous breath of March. 



** Thou comest from distant wood or bower 

 To scenes which smiled upon thy birth, 

 While trees are bare, and scarce a flower 

 Is scattered o'er the cold, moist earth. 



•* While Spring is in her changeful moods. 

 And now unlocks the icy rill; 

 When in the hollows of the woods 

 The unsunned snow is lingering still, 



** Thou living memory of the days 



When I was young and gay like thee, 

 Thou lead'st me thro' the gathering haze 

 Back to the light of infancy. 



