OUR BIRDS IN WINTER. 
165 
withstanding the frost, he aroused his com- 
panions, who awoke in an instant, — for one 
always does who sleeps in the woods, — and 
they congratulated one another on the beauty 
of the weather, and the many signs that were 
manifest of a continuation of it. 
Yes, friends,” remarked old Chick to his 
companions, wdio were busily employed pick- 
ing up their breakfast, there is no doubt we 
shall have an early spring, for all the birds 
coming from the south declare that the season 
is at least a month earlier than usual. Why ! 
as I awoke last night, if you will believe me, I 
heard a flock of geese flying overhead, steering 
for tlie north ; and you all know they are per- 
fectly well acquainted with the signs of the 
times, and would not venture from their 
southern homes without a good reason.” 
“ That they would not,” remarked Crossbill, 
who was busy in opening some of the seeds of 
the pines, your sensible goose rarely makes 
a mistake, and I am thinking I must be going 
north myself soon, if I would meet my friends ; 
for, as the weather is so fine, they will l>e soon 
