182 
NESTS AND EGGS OE 
they can, until the returning footsteps of Sol have announced the glad 
tidings that the hallowed, time-honored haunts of the north will soon once 
more appear in beautiful habiliments of green. Excepting such as spend 
their entire lives in semi-tropical abodes, there is manifest an intense 
longing to be gone, which must necessarily detract from the happiness 
of their migratory brethren. This emotion often grows to such strength, 
that even in the mild, sunny weather of February, with which earth some- 
times indulges her children, the brown, scored and pitted face of Nature 
is often rejoiced with their delightful presence. Amid the desolation which 
everywhere abounds, they dart ujjon the vision like the first gleam of sun- 
shine after a day of dark and rainy weather. The bright, ruddy glow 
that burns upon the breast, as if in cruel mockery of earth’s coldness, and 
the rich depth of coloring of the back, before whose vivid azure the very 
heavens seem to pale, are in striking contrast to objects around, and thrill 
the soul of man with gladness as the wearers of these charming hues are 
the bearers of glad intelligence, for they come to remind us that laughing 
field and babbling runnel have not entirely deserted us, but will return to 
enliven the prospect when a few more days have rung their changes on 
the endless cycle of time. 
. But while a few home-sick individuals thus come among us, ere the 
backbone of winter has been broken, to renew old friendships, and point 
to bonnier times, it is not until the first sunny days of March have made, 
their appearance, that the tide of emigration is said to set in with earnest- 
ness. Coming from no great distance, they are not long on the journey, 
and in a few days are pretty well established in the old habitats. At 
fii*st they are seen in open fields, or loitering about the outskirts of woods. 
In rural situations they are not slow in working their way into old 
orchards, and the yards adjoining human habitations. But wherever they 
take up their quarters, they are sure to make themselves friends. Few 
species are more encouraged to build about our domains, and none are in 
greater repute. While the Robin and Orioles do immense service in the 
destruction of thousands of obnoxious insects, they frequently offset this 
