22 A SUBURBAN RAMBLE 



branch he can find, looking up into the sunshine and 

 pouring out the ecstasy of a glad heart. Though 

 abundant everywhere and profuse with his melody 

 the Song Sparrow is always welcome as the spring. 

 No other songster so well interprets the spirit of the 

 season. 



Some less familiar visitors are active in the 

 suburban brushwood. The Junco, dull and darkly 

 grey, is yet conspicuous among the naked branches. 

 He is singing now, and his low warble has the charm 

 of rarity, though but a modest musical performance. 

 The Junco 's light brown beak seems an odd contrast 

 with his dull colours, and he makes an enlivening 

 display of white feathers as he flits into the Ever- 

 greens. Nuthatches are creeping about on the Oaks, 

 picking out the cocoons that are ready to awaken 

 with the returning warmth — the brightest of the 

 winter residents, who draw near in pity with the 

 advent of spring. 



Among the scattered decay of the past year there 

 is abundant evidence of nature's foresight. The 

 ground leaves of the Asters have sustained their 

 vitality under the snow through the long frosts, and 

 are showing signs of renewed youth. The Winter- 

 green has not even condescended to droop a leaf or 

 stem, and its scarlet berries are shown in contrast 

 against its rich green leaves. The Pipsissewa is also 

 strong and erect, as bright as its melodious Indian 



