28 FROM SPRING TO FALL. 



ceives casual notice from those who are privileged 

 to hear the bird's song, and watch its mounting 

 flight for the greater part of the year. Bird calen- 

 dars have been compiled, giving the dates of the 

 first singing of birds. These are not to be en- 

 tirely depended on, for what has been is not now. 



Seasons have changed considerably of late, well 

 within our own time that is. And this matter 

 has affected bird life more or less, especially so 

 far as the time of their first being heard is con- 

 cerned. 



Again, the records of one county will not do for 

 another. What books can do is to suggest an 

 average estimate. 



The singer under notice and his ringing upward 

 flight are two of the very commonest sounds and 

 sights of the country. If, after hearing larks sing 

 from year to year, the birds should suddenly vanish, 

 how much the loss would be deplored! That is 

 ever best that is nearest to us; and indeed the 

 commonest pleasures and duties of daily life are, 

 after all, our greatest blessings. 



Now, although larks are far more numerous in 

 the fields than sparrows, during reaping-time ex- 



