MARCH 



21 



Ah, there is the note of the first flicker, a pro- 

 longed, monotonous wick-wick-wick-wick-wick-wick, 

 etc., or, if you please, quick-quick-quick, heard far 

 over and through the dry leaves. But how that 

 single sound peoples and enriches all the woods 

 and fields ! They are no longer the same woods 

 and fields that they were. This note really quick- 

 ens what was dead. It seems to put life into the 

 withered grass and leaves and bare twigs, and 

 henceforth the days shall not be as they have been. 

 THOKEAU: Early Spring in Massachusetts. 



22 



Why chidest thou the tardy Spring ? 

 The hardy bunting does not chide ; 

 The blackbirds make the maples ring 

 With social cheer and jubilee ; 

 The redwing flutes his o-ka-lee, 

 The robins know the melting snow. 



EMERSON: May-Day. 



If you scan the horizon at this season you are 

 very likely to detect a flock of dark ducks moving 

 with rapid wing athwart the sky, or see the undu- 

 lating line of migrating geese. 



THOKEAU : Early Spring in Massachusetts. 



