The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1855-03-17
The Birds of Spring.
BY WASHINGTON IRVING.

from fashion, politics, and the money mar
ket, leaves me rather at a loss for Occupa-
ton, and drives me occasionally TO the
study of nature, and other low pursuits. -
Having few neiglbors, also, on whom to
keep watch and exercise my habit of obser-
valon. am fam to amuse myself with pry-
ing into the domestic concerns and peculiar
tiles Of the animals around me; and, during
III, present season, have derived considerable
entertainment from certain sOciable little
birds, almost the only visitors we have during
this early part of the wear.
Those who have passed the winter in the
country, are sensible to the delightful nfu-
ences that accompany the earliest indica-
tions Of spring; and of these, none are more
delightful than the first notes of the birds.
There is one modest little sad-colored bird,
much resembling a wren, which came about
the house lust on the skirts of winter when
not blade Of glass was to be seen, and when
q few prcmaturcly warm days had given a
nattering foretastc Of soft weather. He
sang early in the dawning, long before sun
rise, and late in the evening, just before the
closing in Of night, his matin and his vesper
hymns. 1t is true, he sang occasionally
throughout the day but at these still hours,
his song was more remarked. He sat Oh a
leaGass tree, just before the window, and
warbed forth his notes, few and simple,
but singularly sweet, with something of
plaintivc tone, that heightened their effect
The first morning that he was heard, was
Joyous one among the young folks of my
househoud. The long, death-like sleep Of
winter was at an end nature was once
more awakening; they now promised them
selves the immediate appearance of buds
and blossoms. | was reminded of the tenn
nf
their long dubious voyage, the field birds
came singing round the ship, though still
far at sea, rejoicing them with the belief of
the immediate proximity of land. A sharp
return of winter almost silenced my little
songster, and dashed the hilarity of the house
hold yet still he poured forth, now and
then, few plaintive notes. between the
frosty pipings Of the breeze. like CLEANS OF
sunshine between wintry clouds.
have consulted my book of ornithology
in vain, 10 find out the name Of this kindly
little bird, who certainly deserves honor and
favor far beyond his modest pretensions.-
He comes like the owly violet, the most un-
pretending, but welcomest Of flowers, breath
ing the sweet promise of the early year.
Another Of our feathered visitors, who
follow close upon the steps of winter, is the
Pc-wit, or Pe-wee, or Phoebe bird for he is
called BY each Of these names, from fancied
resemblance to the sound of his monoionous
tone. He is a sociable little being, and seeks
the habitation of man A pair of them
have built beneath my porch, and have
reared several broods there, for two years
past, their nest being never disturbed. They
arrive early in the spring, just when the
crocus and the snow-drop begin to peep
forth. The first chirp spreads gladness
through the house. "The Phoebe birds have
come !" is heard on all sides they are well
coined back like members of the family !;
and speculations are made upon where they
have been, and what countries they have
seen, during their long absence. Their arri-
val is the more cheering, as it is pronounced,
by the old weather-wise people of the coun-
try, the sure sign that the severe trosts are at
an end, and that the gardener may resume
his labors with confidence.
About this time, too, arrives the blue, bird,
so POLITICALLY yet truly described by Wilson.
His appearance gladdens Tie whole land
scspe. You hear his soft warble in every
field He sociably approaches your hablta-
ton, and takes up his residence in your Vi
cinity ...