44 BIRD-LAND ECHOES. 



In other words, that the snow-birds are blown to and 

 fro like dead leaves as the winds happen to blow up 

 or down the river-valley. Perhaps so, but I do not 

 believe it. 



As much unlike the blue-black snow-bird in ap- 

 pearance as in disposition is the white-throated 

 sparrow, or Peabody-bird. These come to us from 

 the north at about the same time, but do not show 

 themselves as freely. They cling to the thickets like 

 the yellow leaves of the young beeches, and you 

 have to look for them even when there are many 

 about Their fancy is for the out-of-the-way places 

 that are not easily penetrated, and particularly green- 

 brier thickets that defy exploration. It is a marvel 

 that they can find their way unscratched through 

 some of their ordinary winter haunts. Of course 

 they recognize no law in such matters, and at times 

 a great host of them will come boldly into the open 

 and perch upon fence-posts and go through the full 

 programme of what we call our sociable sparrows. 

 They will even sing at such times, and so gladden 

 the quiet and deserted upland fields. Though at- 

 tractive then and a source of pleasure to the contem- 

 plative rambler, I like them better amid their more 

 natural surroundings on the sheltered south hill- 

 slope, enjoying the winter sunshine and singing in 

 their sleepy, monotonous way. Is there a time when 

 they are "out of song" ? From October to April I 

 have them near at hand, and need not see them to 

 speak positively of their presence. Their song can- 

 not be mistaken for that of any other bird, and so 



