The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-04-18
al sfrIIanD. .
The Birds of Spring.

loof from fashion, poltcs,a and the money
market. leaves me rather at loss for
occupation. and drives me occasionally
to the study of nature, and other low
pursuits. Having few ncighbors, on
whom to keep watch and exercise my
habits of observation, fain to amuse
myself with pryine into the domestic
concerns and peculiartes of the animals
around and, during the present season,
have derived considerable entertainment
from certain sociablc littlo birds almost
the only visitors we have, during this
early part of the year.
Those who have passed the winter in
the country. are sensible Of The delight
full influences that accompany the carli-
est indications Of spring. and Of these,
none are more delightful than the first
notes Of the birds There is one modest
little sad colorcd bird. much resembling
wren. which canc about the house Just
on tho skirts Of winter. when not blade
of grass was to be seen, and when a few
prcmaturcly warm days had given fat.
tcring forctaste of soft weather lie
sang carly in the dawning long before
sunrise. and late in the evening, Just be.
fore the closing in of night his matin
and his vesper hymns. 1t is true. be
sang occasionally throughout the day:but
at these still hours bis song was moro re.
marked. lie sat on a leahess tree. inst
before the window. and warbled forth
his notes. few an3 simple, but singularly
sweet, with something ofa plaintivc tone
that heightened their effect.
The first morning that be was heard,
was joyous one among the young folks
Of my household. The long. death.
like sleep of winter was at an end ma
ture was once more awakening; they now
promised themselves the immediate ap.
rearance of buds and blossoms l was
reminded of-the tempest.tossed crew of
Columbus. when, after 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 silehcod my little song.
ster, and dashed the hlar;ty Of the
household yet still he poured forih,now
aud then. few rlaintive notes, between
the frosty pipings of the brcezo, like
CLEANS of sunshine between wintcry
clouds.
| have consulted nv books Of orui-
thology in vain, to find out the name Of
this kindly little bird, who certainly dc.
serves honor and favor far beyond his
modest pretcnsions. lie comes like tho
lowly violet. the most unprctending, but
wclcomest Of flowers, breathing the
sweet promises of the carly year.
Another of our feathcred visitors, who
follows close upon the steps of winter, is
the Pewitt, or Pewee, or Phoebe bird for
he is called by each of these names from
faDcied resemblance to tho sound Of
his monotonous note. lie is social lit
tie being, and seeks the habitation of
men. A pair of them have built beneath
my porch, and have reared several broods
there for two years past, their nest never
being disturbed They arrive early in
the spriug, just when the crocus and
snow drop begin to peep forth Their
first chirp spreads gladness through the
house. The Phebe birds have comem
is heard on all sides. They are well
coined back like members Of the family,
and speculations are made upon where
they have been during their long alb
sencc. Their arrival is the moro cheer
ing,as it is announced BY the old weather
wise people of thccountry. as the sure sign
that the severe frosts are at an end, and
that the gardener may resume his labors
with confidence.
About this time, toe, o,arrves the Blue.
bird, SO POLITICALLY yet truly described
by Wilson. His appearance gladdens
the whole landscape. He socially ap-
p,oaches your habitation, and takes up
his residence in your vicinity.
The happiest bird of our spring, how
ever, and one that rivals the European
lark in my estimation, is the Boblincoln,
CT Boblink, as he is commonly called.
He arrives at that choice portion Of our
year, which, in this latitude answers TO
the description Of the month Of May so
often given by the poets. With us it
begins about the middle of May, and
lasts until nearly the middle of June.
Earlier than this winter is apt to return
on its traces, and to blight the opening
beauties of the year, and later than this
begin the parching, and painting, aud dis,
solving heats of summer But in this
genial interval nature is in all her fresh
ness and fragrance "The rains are
over and gone, tho aowors appear upon