THE BIRDS' TIME-TABLE 



It is a joyous day when, early in March, we 

 first hear the martial music of the Crackles and 

 Red-wings, and the cheery salute of the Song 

 Sparrow. Not a bud has broken, not a blade of 

 grass grown. The birds bring us the earliest 

 news that spring is near. 



Soon we shall hear the fifing of the Meadow- 

 lark and the musical whistle of the Fox Spar- 

 row ; while those who know its haunts may hear 

 the strange twilight song and see the sky dance 

 of the Woodcock. 



Late in the month, when in some warm place 

 gnats are floating in the sunlight, the Phoebe, 

 earliest of Flycatchers, will be there to devour 

 them. In early April the chant of the Field 

 Sparrow, the bright, ringing notes of the Vesper 

 Sparrow, and the gurgling, glassy call of the 

 Cowbird will be added to the music of the 

 feathered band. With them will be Chipping 

 and White-throated Sparrows, Myrtle War- 

 blers, Tree Swallows and Hermit Thrushes. 



Thus far the army has advanced rank after 

 rank in orderly array. All the birds in it have 

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