JANUARY 



JUST as the robins made "^October their own by 

 the universal burst of song with which they 

 notified their return in renewed vigour from 

 songless retirement during the period of the moult, 

 so the song-thrush, having gradually relearned his 

 art, in spite of occasional relapses into silence during 

 frost-chequered November and December, sets the 

 stamp of his renovated life upon the first month of 

 the opening year. Early and late he takes his stand 

 boldly upon some prominent branch, and facing the 

 rising or the setting sun, pours himself out in an 

 ecstasy of song to this as it would seem the 

 source of his inspiration. 



Is this the bird, one is prompted to ask, which 

 a week or two ago stood inert and spiritless, 

 like a stuffed bird, in the frost-bound fields, ad- 

 mitting of the closest approach, as if careless of his 

 life ? 



Now, also, one may come very near to him, but 

 for an entirely opposite reason. So intent is he 

 upon his singing, that he is careless who stands to 

 watch or listen ; or, if he observes, he flits only 



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