24 A MARCH RAMBLE. 



that is, sloping inward and their horns (antenncB) 

 curved backward. It seems singular to me that 

 this kind of insects should appear so early in the 

 season, yet the books say they are often seen in 

 unusually warm days in winter. It is evident that 

 the eggs deposited last autumn could not have 

 hatched in the winter, for the ground is frozen, 

 Probably the larvae appeared last season, and had 

 undergone several moultings before the severe 

 weather forced them into the torpid state, from 

 which it is clearly seen they are easily awakened. 

 The first song sparrow alights on an alder twig 

 in the midst of catkin tassels, that give the early 

 singer a very pretty and appropriate setting. While 

 contemplating this scene, a bluebird perches on the 

 telegraph wire, and ripples out a brief sweet spring 

 message to the confined operator in town. It is 

 doubtful if the person at the sounders received it. 

 " Qe-rue-le-an" he sings : " Spring is here ! Do you 

 hear it ? Do you hear it ? " After which he bends 

 his head to the wire, as if hearkening for a re- 

 sponse. It is an agreeable sound to your hibernat- 

 ing brain ; a wavy chime as sweet and mellow and 

 refreshing to the ear as a diet of fresh berries, or a 

 mess of pot herbs, from Southern gardens, is to 

 the taste. Now q^uickly and without the move- 



