Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-04-28

goft March skies the black forms Of
martins stand out distinctly, gambol-
ing high in the air, then dropping low,
so that the listener may catch the in
distinct sound of their simple war
bling. And as they come one by one,
then in greater numbers, they see
their companions, the parula warblers,
fitting about on willow catkins and
settling on low, damp places. They
fly in and out among the feathery
willows, and with them are the syca-
more warblers and another relative,
the hooded warbler.
All of these birds seem to breathe
the very atmosphere Of new life, and
the delicate shades of fresh grass aud
half-open leaves are a fit frame for
their dainty loveliness. They come
in the first weeks Of March, on days
when the soft and crystal air bears
messages of reviving plant life and Of
the vernalinfuence. After the first
period of migration there are several
species of birds that come in irregular
focks, some small, some great, until
the equinox, when We notice an in
creasing vigor in their movements.
About this time we become aware Of
a great change in the picture Of out
door life. In few days the stems Of
the lilac begin to show small green
buds and the naples wave their fresh,
gray tassels in the soft, warm air.
The robins are beginning to think
of business, their fancy lightly turns to
nest.making, and IN the early morning
they sing with heart-breaking tender
ness in the tree near my window. Oh,
little bird of song and story, how does
thy clear strain echo and re.echo from
ages past, and linger in the heart of
the worlds childhood Every year
it comes to build its nest in the accus-
toned place. With outside thatch
and inner wall of mud, and with lin
ing of soft leaves and dried grass, and
lovely contents of fonr blue eggs, no
wonder it is the home Of the bird, the
first love of every cottage child, the
last love of workworn and venerable
peasant.
After the equinox they come, a
mixed and varied company-the orr
ole, the bunting, the video, the fly
catcher, the thrush, the catbird and
all the other feathered brotherhood
and April is a month Of movement
from first to last. When warm days
and soft showers bring out cloud Of
insects for their .ood, the sky is filed
with high. hiers, or "catchers, and the
orchards ring with their pleasant mel
ody. Sailing very far above US, they
look like birds made out Of clouds,
and fit through the upper air like
snowhakes. All the poetry OF mo-
tion is theirs, and they are the beau
ties of the feathered kingdom. And
still they come, company after COM
pany, until the last of April, when
there is almost always a season Of fair
weather in which the spring migra-
ton comes to an end. Very soon the
brilliant and happy wanderers settle
down to quiet living. They have
chosen their nesting places and fin
ished their love-making, and are glad
to live the quiet life with mate and
children through the long summer
days. No doubt their winter homes
are forgotten, and like the lotus-eaters
they dream no more Of wanderings
far and wide. Every year we see
this same wonderful bind procession,
and every year We wonder in vain
over its cause and meaning.