The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-04-06
NOTES OF THE EARLY BIRDS.

NOTES OF THE EARLY BIRDS.
SPRINGS TRUE PROPHET IND THE RED
BREISTED Ell M1uDL
The wsndrsus Hearing ef Rsbins-Ths DiC.
Gartag Ssass OF NJ mbsrs or One Fnmiiy at
sparrsws-Jsttinss by - Lover OF Dirds.
NORTHAMPTON, March 2O.--This Is the first
day OF spring. according to tho old Farmers
Almanac. an authoritative oracle in these parts
upon matters meteorological. and the affairs Of
seedtime and harvest. More pregnant Of prom
lev to mo. however. is tho fact that to-day I
have heard the first song sparrow Of the sea-
son. and therefore am assured that the winter
10 surely over. The prophecy Of brighter sea-
con which this bird has Just brought to me
does not seem to carry much hope OF immediate
fulhlment with II. In the face Of tho storm Of
rain and hail. with occasional splits Of snow
upon the cold north wind that has accom-
panied It; but nevertheless believe 1t. since
have found In past seasons that the song spar
row seldom makes q mistake. His forerun-
nsrs. the bluebird and robin. are much less to
b depended upon as heralds Of the spring,
and. In spite OF tho pleasure their appearance
causes. I novor look upon them az at all trust
worthy. have seen q robin on washington's
birthday. which was attended by crust Of
snow stout enough for party OF us to 60 rnb-
bit hunting upon and was followed BY six
solid weeks OF the coolest sort o. winter
weather; and miserable enough the bird look.
ID. too. as II knowing In himself that he was o
false prophst-a very FL Mshdi Of his race.
have often wondered what became OF him. He
evaded all our attempts to shoot him. and
doubtless persisted miserably OF cold and star
7ation-a much less desirable fate. as cannot
help thinking. than to DO stuffed and given
paace OF honor In naturalist's cabinet AS for
the bluebird. he will be voted fraud by any
one who 10 credulous enough to leave of his
winter fsnnsls at sight OF him. He Is q CRATE
full arrival. but unreliable as an aid OF the
Governments Weather Bureau. for u heavy
snow storm 10 more likely than not to fall upon
~ the very day after he appears. and it some-
times seems as though rude BoreSs summoned
SPSs Ssoe hs and SsE s S aso
the South land from which he had vent ured;
IDLY. His very sony Is apoogetical in Its plain.
and indulgence. He seems to say to US: Il
bring YOU warmth and sunshine. i can at least
ess, ss@s shs hs0 SrS Win
me, and love him for his DELICATE singing. his
anspns 81 81 oaa sss ofsGn 7 %ss.
t r. sasxs 20 s es5
day. when the ice ia melting along the banks Of
the river and the grass shows It's wan and 10
this bird from the topmost Dough OF an ancient
announcement OF the season Of the buebrd's
eome ustsrln ss' toward my from s the oeit bs
Expense q iss'e fields S % tie warm Srsszss q
There Is much competition here. as elsewhere
Neg @ e he tS be
1s sad TN
most preposterous tales OF the bluebirds arri-
f 2 rsn Sf" 70 = me- great sSss
.py phb 70 brd IbaS
about tbe flrst Of May, I knew at once tlnt
ae ro% .sss FAITHS a
hss to IN he
pears IN comicai contrast with his usual garru-
iy " when clown sSHSGesniy ss down 70
occnpation he Is infinitely more humorous than
hs .ppsoprissts sphere The phGbet bird for
rostsa 1e%e SO "' COSBY doss "Gti join ITSELF
Tbs robin ~ adm frf less than the bluseird
perhaps because he Is the most nrrant thief
H1
but also comes In fhe fa!to pick hoiss n IN my
a 10 rnen tne one sp
prejudice against u fowl Of this sort. and AN,
not ashamed to say that have often mounted 70
possd race s. a.
issssnsd by seasons high living he makes
IN The spring. He comes between the blueblrd
:Ss of the @ s Ss
nostSation Il much less assured than thst Fl
as IN s sSa sn
s hs snnx q nf
good. mild weather Is not ordinarily to be
fond In h i train: m law. 80 ~. ,,,oh,,a
AZ Is not more hardy. and have seen him en-
sconcsd in thu corner Of q houses gable. under
ss S'Fn:' "a $ T TG1 ae Wh the srs 3.
drained out Of him, the most miserable and
turs also. 500 him continually on mAlawn
ne sRIns attacking AND dri nn g, Sw tns
sn asaf hR% nna ss
n: s H. sons I. life wSHs
a i, and III. ruddy breast and martial perpsn'
1oorysrds. He Is = terror TO worms ant
catch them. He takes short and graceful ruT
ever tbs ground. with his fact fairly twinkins
for Ill the world just a. q graceful woman
picking up her skirts, giides swiftly into IL, tn.
10 psnsss seruptly. and With head cooked 2. On
earth. An instsnts intentness locates hi
prey to his mind He hops to the SPOT jabs hi,
bsHk savNaely into the earth three or fou
times, and pulls out q great white accumulation
PA gi:'sning WrithinE thing which he beat q,
o. the grass aiterward, like the wsl,hred gen 7,
that his. short runs on the turf-which he &c
eomplishes with considerable stamping Of hi
diminutiYs fset-Nre intended to alarm tn
worms; They. hearing the, sound above them
make nnsse % esfSHps aaa NE hennE nsa
make an end OF them. II this is not SO. an,
why does no give. himself the trouble Of all thi
sxertion. instead Of prowltng. carefully abou
That he gets q his prey by hearing Is evidsn!
What sense he must have. and what quaint
ties Of worms II brings him! I, hayo orte
wished were thus gifted after digging owe
vast aIeas Of ground unavaiingly for bait to 9
e.hshing with.