OUR BIRDS IN WINTER. 
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snow on the ground of most of the swamp ; 
and in many places little tufts of green grass 
were visible, and little pools of water sur- 
rounded by mud and decaying leaves were 
scattered here and there, many of them al- 
ready teeming with insect life, the larvae of 
the Caddis-flies and May-flies and dragon-flies, 
each and all ready to be eaten by the myriads 
of birds that shortly were to make their ap- 
pearance in this neighborhood. The Chick- 
a-dees, having eaten of a hearty breakfast, 
were enjoying a bath in a little pool, on which 
the rays of the sun shone with a grateful 
warmth. 
Really, my dear Chick,” observed one of 
the party who was fluttering on the edge of the 
pool, shaking and drying his plumage that 
had been lately disarranged in the bath, it 
seems to me that our winter is leaving us in a 
hurry ; such delicious weather one rarely sees 
at this season, and it is almost enough to 
make one begin to look about for a companion 
for the summer, and prepare for a nesting- 
place.” Here he cast a languishing glance at 
