31 



THE AWAKENING YEAR 



The darting and hilariously erratic flight of the 

 Swallows is an assurance that spring is really awake. 

 Other arrivals have promised and predicted, but the 

 Swallows have made an actual announcement. The 

 Meadow Lark, with sweetly modulated whistle, has 

 announced the good news from the south, and has 

 tip-toed in the stubble, displaying his yellow breast. 

 The Flicker has cackled his loud and long alarm, and 

 the Robin has varied his noisy piping with sweet 

 and restful melody. The Bluebird has chirped in mild 

 exhilaration, and the Blackbird with scarlet epaulets 

 has brought life back to the withered marsh with his 

 keen-edged, penetrating call. The melody of the 

 Song Sparrow has overflowed everjrwhere in rich 

 abundance, and the Vesper Sparrow has followed to 

 take possession of the fields. All these are promises 

 and forecasts, and they have been strengthened and 

 supported by renewed activity on the part of the 

 Juncoes, Downy Woodpeckers, Brown Creepers, 

 Nuthatches, Kinglets, and other hardy winter 

 residents. But the real announcement of the actual 

 awakening is the darting flight of the light and swift- 

 winged gleaners from the air. 



