MARCH 



At the Hubbard Path a mink comes tetering 

 along the ice by the side of the river. . . . He seems 

 daintily lifting his feet with a jerk as if his toes 

 were sore. They seem to go a-hunting at night 

 along the edge of the river. Perhaps I notice 

 them more at this season, when the shallow water 

 freezes at night, and there is no vegetation along 

 the shore to conceal them. 



THOREAU : Early Spring in Massachusetts. 

 In two or three places I hear the ground-squir- 

 rel's first chirrup or qui vive in the wall, like a bird 

 or a cricket. 



THOREAU : Early Spring in Massachusetts. 



20 



I saw a whole flock of daring blackbirds careering 

 above the gusty woods in the March gale. They 

 seemed to be exercising their speed and agility in 

 one of the heroic games of the air. When they 

 reached a goal, or station in the top of some high 

 tree, they disposed themselves about the branches 

 like so many weather-vanes, all facing in the same 

 direction, and all indicating the south-southwest. 

 This was practically " trimming to the wind." 



EDITH M. THOMAS: The Round Year. 



Almost every bush has its song sparrow this 

 morning, and their tinkling strains are heard on 



all sides. 



THOREAU: Early Spring in Massachusetts. 



