FEBRUARY. 33 



song-sparrow, thatstill lingers about his former haunts, 

 will open his little throat, and sing from some leafless 

 thorn, one of his most simple and enchanting lays. 



But in winter, we are seldom favored in succession, 

 with many of these delightful days. They appear just 

 often enough to save us from an utter forgetfulness of 

 nature, like an occasional visit from an absent friend. 

 At such times, all creatures take advantage of the fine 

 weather to forage the woods and pastures, and supply 

 their famishing wants ; and one of the pleasant occu- 

 pations of our leisure, consists in tracing to their haunts 

 the different species of birds, that still sojourn with us, 

 like friends in trouble and adversity. These harmless 

 creatures often suffer greatly with famine, many of 

 them dying of starvation as well as of cold; and it 

 is the part of benevolence to feed them, and look out 

 for their protection. Quails and robins remain in our 

 woods throughout the winter, feeding on berries, seeds, 

 and the gleanings of corn fields. An unusual quantity 

 of snow may deprive them of these resources ; and 

 man, the lord of creation, should prove himself wor- 

 thy of his sovereignty, by protecting these innocent 

 wanderers, for whom nature, under all circumstances, 

 has not provided. 



Flocks of sparrows and snow-birds are often seen 

 hovering around our dwellings, and by their cheerful 

 twittering, seem to be asking alms of the inmates. 

 They may be seen timidly feeding with the poultry, or 

 pecking at the windowglass, for something that glis- 

 tens on the inner side of the pane. The humane and 

 considerate are in the habit of strewing seeds and 

 crumbs of bread on the fences, and in the footpaths, 

 where they may find them and relieve their hunger. 

 And what do we by such acts, but divide with others a 



