26 
BIRDS 
he assumed, on finding himself dis¬ 
covered, together with his loud, angry 
protest, as, with crown depressed 
and plumage furled, he rapidly ascended 
to the topmost branch of a tall Birch, the 
better to proclaim my perfidy to the whole 
world, would have excited the interest 
and applause of the coolest observer. 
So much in a general sense; but let 
me discriminate; 'dor my purpose holds” 
to call my favorites by name, and point 
them out to you, as the tuneful pro¬ 
cession passes. 
Every stage of the advancing season 
gives prominence to certain birds as to 
certain flowers. The Dandelion tells me 
when to look for the Swallow, and I 
know the Thrushes will not linger when 
the Orchis is in bloom. In my latitude, 
April is emphatically the month of the 
Robin. In large numbers they scour the 
fields and groves. You hear their piping 
in the meadow, in the pasture, on the 
hillside. Walk in the woods, and the 
dry leaves rustle with the whir of their 
wings, the air is vocal with their cheery 
call. In excess of joy and vivacity, they 
