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A YEAR WITH THE BIRDS 
Which way , sir? 
I say , sir , 
Let me teach you, 
I beseech you! 
Are you wishing 
Jolly fishing? 
This way, sir! 
Let me teach you. 
Oh come, forget your foes and fears, and leave your cares behind, 
And wander forth to try your luck, with cheerful, quiet mind; 
For be your fortune great or small, you’ll take what God may give. 
And all the day your heart will say, “Tis luck enough to live.” 
This is the song the Brown Thrush flings 
Out of his thicket of roses; 
Hark how it warbles and rings, 
Mark how it closes : 
Luck, luck, 
What luck? 
Good enough for me! 
I’m alive, you see. 
Sun shining, no repining; 
Never borrow idle sorrow; 
Drop it! Cover it up! 
Hold your cup! 
Joy will fill it, 
Don’t spill it! 
Steady, be ready, 
Love your luck! 
— Henry Van Dyke in Bird-Lore 
REDWINGS AND PUSSYWILLOWS 
How do the birds know when spring has come? How can 
they tell the difference between a warm day in December and 
a warm day in March? We cannot tell, but they do know 
all the same. 
The Grackles and Redwings will not return for the warmest 
December sun ; but let the March sun but blink and they are up 
and away, and often steal a march on shy Pussywillow her- 
self. 
These birds usually return to Connecticut in March, reach- 
ing the southern border as indicated : 
