28 BIRD PARADISE 



has gone aud usually the birds come trooping in 

 as soon as it has melted away, especially if the 

 weather be warm and sunny. The species named 

 in the article push northward about March 1st, 

 keeping pace with the disappearance of the 

 snow. In 1857 many of them reached us in Feb- 

 ruary, both February and March being open 

 warm months. Some of the robins nested and 

 were caught in the great April snow-storms — 

 learning when too late that the birds with the 

 best intentions cannot force the season. Large 

 numbers of the robins when they migrate stop 

 for the winter just south of the snow line of lati- 

 tude. Some go farther, even extending their 

 journey to the shores of the Gulf. AH of them, 

 however, turn their steps northward about the 

 first of February — ready, if all things are favora- 

 ble, to occupy the summer home. A week of 

 sunny weather now would bring them to us in 

 large numbers. There seems to be no instinctive 

 guidance concerning the proper time for the birds 

 to inaugurate their summer housekeeping. 



The junco sparrows are now guests of ours from 

 the far North. What travelers they are and how 

 little they show the wear and care of extensive 



