The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-02-22

voices proclaim that spring has come.
even IL the owners of rhe voices are
showing too much optimism, for spring
has habit of coming in this land and
then suddenly leaving. The song spar
rows make themselves heard above
their fellows, for they ere stronger
In numbers and are the more musical.
The tree sparrow is here with the top
of his head as red as the maple buds
will be week hence. He plays a
minor instrument, but in its tone Is
something of the JOY of knowledge
that February has come and the Ca
madam fields are now not far away.
A cardinal calls from a thicket.
This Virginia nightingale can put the
other songs to silence If 1t wishes to
use its throat, but the cardinal Is a
resident here with no migratory yearn-
ings, and knowing something Of the
treachery Of February, he chooses TO
postpone his louder whistlings until
March.
Bird students know that the song
sparrow's note does not prove that
spring has a foothold which cannot be
dislodged, but there is one voice in the
marshes which will settle matters and
make it definite that spring has come,
though 1t will not do so, probably, for
ten days to come. The frog has what
is intended to be spring poem form
ing in his throat. When it is ready
for the piping, spring will have come.
Already the soft maple buds are
swelling and glowing just little. In
the thickets at the edge of the waters
beneath the naples are fox sparrows
and juncos, while on the hillside near
at hand are the ever-present crows,
hoarse voiced and impudent with full
knowledge of the fact that those who
are watching them carry no guns.
On Robb's Point
Not far across the Potomac Is a pc
ninsula known as Robb's Point. 1t
separates the waters of the Potomac
from those of the Four-Mil Run be-
fore the two streams come together.
On the height Of this peninsula is a
burial place not more than thirty feet
square. 1t has three great lichen-
covered stones within the tumbling
fence. -Four trees shadow the graves.
The stones bear the names of mem
bers of a ,well-known Virginia family.
On one Is an inscription which tells
that below lies the remains of Gen.
Alexander Hunter, who died in 1877
Nathaniel Hunter, who died seven
years later, lies at the generals side,
while beyond is a crumbling stone
above the grave of another Hunter.
The family graves rest on hilltop
from which one may look far down
the Potomac seward. 1t is a good
place to rest.
1t will not be long now before spring
in full tide will be upon Washington.
Always on st. Valentines day the song
sparroMs have appeared in the grounds
of the capitol. They probably do not
know that 1t Is ST. Valentines day,
and of course 1t is only a coincidence
that Il has been that day for years,
which they have chosen for their first
open city appearance.
The robins which have been in Vir-
ginia all winter will come northward
in a few days in great fiocks. They
are hardy birds and do not go South
because it is cold, but because they
can't get the food they like Granted
a food supply, they would stay north
all winter, no matter how cold the
north wind nor how deep the snow.
Some 81 the robins do stay in the
north in the recesses OF the cedar
swamps, the berries Of which provide
them with their daily provender.