A YEAR WITH THE BIRDS 
633 
A prisoner in my chamber, T 
See neither grass, nor bough, nor sky; 
Yet to my mind thy warblings bring, 
In troops, all images of spring; 
And every sense is satisfied 
By what thy magic has supplied. 
As by enchantment, now I see 
On every bush and forest tree 
The tender, downy leaf appear — 
The loveliest robe they wear. 
The tulip and the hyacinth grace 
The garden bed; each grassy place 
With dandelions glowing bright, 
Or king-cups, childhood’s pure delight 
' Invite the passer-by to tread 
Upon the soft, elastic bed, 
And pluck again the simple flowers 
Which charmed so oft his younger hours. 
The apple orchards all in bloom — 
I seem to smell their rare perfume, 
And thou, gay whistler ! to whose song 
These powers of magic art belong, 
On top of lofty elm I see 
Thy black and orange livery; 
Forgive that word! a freeman bold, 
Of choice thou wearest jet and gold, 
And no man’s livery dost bear, 
Thou flying tulip ! free as air ! 
Come, Golden Robin ! once again 
That magic, joy-inspiring strain! 
— Thomas Hill 
Purple Grackle: Quiscalus quiscula. S. R., long season 
Crow Blackbird 
Length: 12-13.50 inches. 
Male and Female: Glossy metallic black, iridescent tints on head, tail, 
and wings. Iris bright yellow, tail longer than wings, feet black. 
Female more dull and smaller. 
Song: A crackling, wheezy squeaking; call note, a rasping chirp. 
Season: Common summer resident. I have also seen them in every 
month but January and February. 
Nest: A carefully built nest of rather miscellaneous materials, mud- 
lined, usually in trees, sometimes in a hollow tree. In ever- 
greens in many localities, but never here, orchards being their 
favorite spot. 
