A Bird Calendar by the Poets 



By Ella F. Mosby 



JANUARY 



This is not the month of singing birds. 



''Silently overhead the hen-hawk sails 



A\'ith watchful, measuring eye. and for his quarry waits." 



— Lozi'ell. 



FEBRUARY 



Sometimes a flock of strange birds descends upon us from the north — the 

 cross-bills. There is an old tradition that the red upon their breast was caused 

 by the blood of our Saviour, as they sought to free Him with their bills from 

 the cross. 



"And that bird is called the Crossbill, 



Covered all with blood so dear,. 

 In the groves of pine it singeth 



Songs, Hke legends, strange to hear.*' 



— Longfellow. 



MARCH 



Xo birds are more closely associated with early spring than the swallows. 

 "Gallant and gay in their doublets grey, 

 All at a flash like the darting of flame, 

 Chattering Arabic, African, Indian — 



Certain of springtime, the swallows came. 



Doublets of grey silk and surcoats of purple, 



Rufl:*s of russet round each little throat. 

 Wearing such garb, they had crossed the waters, 



Mariners sailing with never a boat." 



— Sir Edzcard Arnold. 



APRIL 



"Winged lute that we call a Bluebird, 



You blend in a silver strain. 

 The sound of the laughing waters, 



The sound of spring's sweet rain. 



"The voice of the wind, the sunshine 



And fragrance of blossoming things. 

 Ah, you are a poem of April 



That God endowed with wings." 



655 



