CHAPTER II. 



AMONG THE BIRDS IN SPRING. 



SPRING-TIME among the birds is replete with 

 interest for the naturalist ; and every day, nay, 

 almost every hour, the feathered tribes are 

 becoming imbued with ever-increasing animation 

 and activity. Perhaps the first birds to feel and 

 foretell the advent of spring are the Thrushes. 

 At morn and even the speckled Song Thrush 

 pipes his oft-repeated strains from the evergreens 

 or the lofty and still leafless trees ; whilst the 

 Missel- Missel- thrush is occasionally heard, especially 



thrush ceases J 



April?' I6th during the boisterous days of March. The 

 sweet-voiced Blackbird is in full song during the 

 very earliest days of spring, and his mellow 

 music breathes the prophecy of coming life over 

 bare hedgerows and leafless woods. The Starlings 

 feel the influence of the changing year, and may 

 be observed, with drooping wings and puffed-out 

 plumage, sitting on the chimney-stacks or water- 

 spouts warbling their curious song. Spring's 

 magic influence spreads far and wide over all 

 living creatures. Birds hitherto silent suddenly 



