SPRING ARRIVAL OF THE BIRDS. oA 
sweet notes welled out in wild rhythm, while his whole 
body vibrated in ecstasy at his own music. Instead of 
appearing disturbed at my presence, he seemed to 
understand that he was giving pleasure, for he poured 
out song after song, all the time coming down on the 
limbs, nearer and nearer, until I could have reached 
him with my hand. On leaving I only regretted my 
inability in some measure to reward the gifted minstrel 
for the rare entertainment he had given, making, as it 
did, the world brighter and better. 
The Hudsonian sparrow (Junco hiemalis) arrived here 
several days ago. Although few in number, they are 
conspicuous by their rich color and peculiar markings. 
The back is a dark slate, almost blue black, while the 
lower part of the body, and also the bill, are nearly 
white. The lateral quills in the tail are white, and show 
in flight much like those of the grass finch. They gen- 
erally make their appearance in the morning, coming 
in small flocks during the night. They choose ravines, 
thick copses, hedges, or other sheltered places, during 
this weather, but those that do not go farther north 
for the summer will soon separate in pairs to begin nest 
building. Until recently these sparrows have not been 
credited with remaining through the summer in any 
considerable numbers as far south as this, but I have 
found their nests in several different counties in Central 
and Western New York, though generally in cooler, 
damper regions. Here they often raise two broods in 
a season, sometimes three. Their nests are placed on 
the ground ,and are always models in form and finish, 
