FEBRUARY OUTINGS. 6^ 



My next outing occurred on the nineteenth, 

 when the weather had turned colder, and snow was 

 falling, mingled with sleet ; yet several song- 

 sparrows trilled softly in the marsh. On the twenty- 

 third crow blackbirds were seen, and on the twenty- 

 fourth a turtle-dove was cooing meditatively, and 

 the song-sparrows were holding another opera festi- 

 val. The last days of February became cold again, 

 and March brought several severe storms ; but I think 

 none of the hardy, adventurous birds named, retreated 

 to a warmer clime, even if they did regret having left 

 their winter quarters a little prematurely. 



