28 
OUR HOME BIRDS. 
then. Some one who watches the little feathered crea- 
tures very closely writes of them : 
4 ‘ 4 Many of the early birds, following the southerly 
winds that often prevail for a few days, and tempted by 
the bright sunshine of the season, have arrived from 
their winter haunts, and sing and chirp alternately, 
as if they were debating whether to remain here or 
return to a more genial clime. It is a remarkable 
instinct that prompts so many species of birds to 
leave their pleasant abiding-places at the South, where 
every agreeable condition of climate, shelter, and pro- 
vision for their wants is present, and press onward 
into the northern regions before the rigors of winter 
have been subdued, and while they are still liable to 
perish with cold and starvation. Often with anxiety 
have I watched these little bewildered songsters who 
have so unseasonably returned, when, after commen- 
cing their morning lays as if they believed the vernal 
promises of dawn, they were obliged to flee into the 
depths of the woods to find shelter from a driving 
snow-storm.’ 
44 These little birds,” continued the governess, 
44 really teach us a lesson of faith which believes 
that 
4 Behind a frowning providence 
God hides a smiling face/ 
The whole sparrow family, to which this particular 
