SOME JANUARY BIRDS 



XT seems to be our lot this winter to 

 have April continually smiling up in the 

 face of January. Again and again the 

 north wind has come down upon us and 

 set his adamantine face against all such 

 folly. The turf has become flint; the ice 

 has been eight inches thick on pond and 

 placid stream, and the very next morn- 

 ing, maybe, the soft air has breathed of 

 spring, and bluebirds have twittered de- 

 precatingly as if glad to be here, but alto- 

 gether ashamed to be found so out of 

 season. As a matter of fact, of course, 

 some bluebirds winter with us, but they 

 don't warble " cheerily O" in the teeth 

 of the north winds. On those days you 

 must seek them in the cuddly seclusion 

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