MARCH 



25 



The tree sparrow is perhaps the sweetest and 

 most melodious warbler at present and for some 

 days. It is peculiar, too, for singing in concert 

 along the hedge-rows, much like a canary, es- 

 pecially in the mornings, very clear, sweet, melo- 

 dious notes, between a twitter and a warble, of 

 which it is hard to catch the strain, for you com- 

 monly hear many at once. 



THOEEAU: Early Spring in Massachusetts. 



The bluebird's warble comes feeble and frozen 

 to my ear. 



THOEEAU: Early Spring in Massachusetts. 



26 



The ducks alight at this season in the still water, 

 in company with the gulls, which do not fail to 

 improve an east wind to visit our meadows, and 

 swim about by twos and threes, pluming them- 

 selves, and diving to peck at the root of the lily, 

 and the cranberries which the frost has not loos- 

 ened. The first flock of geese is seen beating to 

 north, in long harrows and waving lines ; the jin- 

 gle of the song sparrow salutes us from the shrubs 

 and fences; the plaintive note of the lark comes 

 clear and sweet from the meadow ; and the blue- 

 bird, like an azure ray, glances past us in our walk. 

 THOBEAC: Natural History of Massachusetts. 



