BIRD MIGRATION 



Of all seasons, to a bird lover, the time of spring migration, perhaps, 

 brings the deepest thrills of pleasure. There is a peculiar delight in hear- 

 ing the first warble of the Bluebird as he descends from his homeward 

 flight to the old familiar pear tree, or is first seen down the lane and by 

 the pasture, "shifting his light load of song from post to post along the 

 cheerless fence." The first cheery call of the Robin from the tree top by 

 the house, awakens the blood to a new lease of life, and the plaintive lisp 

 of the Meadowlark, the first congaree from the alder tops, and even the 

 first metallic squeak of the Grackle from the spruce tree stirs at the roots 

 of spring awakening. One after another the native birds appear, apparently 

 overflowing with delight to reach their homes again. The copses and 

 meadows ring with song. Many strange and beautiful birds are here also 

 for a brief stay. The woods become alive with juncos, white-throats and 

 warblers. Wherever one turns a new surprise awaits. Perhaps a Lincoln 

 sparrow and a Cape May warbler, or a Philadelphia vireo ; and the possi- 

 bility of a Connecticut or a Kirtland warbler lures you on. It is time to be 

 afield all day and see the sights and hear the songs. 



But it is quite impossible to find every bird on the first day of its 

 arrival, the country is so wide and the special haunts of each species are 

 so scattered. One must visit the lake, or bay, to find the ducks and 

 grebes and gulls. The "big woods" of hemlock, beech and maple will 

 furnish different birds from those of the swampy second growth. Along 

 the brook and across the pasture we meet a few which are not found in the 

 meadow, or on the lake shore. On the bushy hillside we add the Chewink, 

 Thrasher and Field sparrow; in the shady glen, the Louisiana water-thrush; 

 and near the box-crowned pole in the garden the first martins. If not at 

 the "float bridge," or the marsh every day, you miss the first note 

 of the Sora, Gallinule, Bittern, or Marsh wren. And so each day and 

 through all the day after the common birds have been found, it becomes 



