Redpolls

The wood-pigeon's lament comes throbbing through the warm morning air, confirming his right to his other and better-known morning-dove title.

to drown the pigeon's dirge-like plaint may now be heard the rollicking song of the goldfinch his song and flight dipping in unison as he goes his careless way with still another contrast comes the clucking cuckoo's grumble as if in excuse for his tardy arrival now listen for the chorus is complete though but few have been named they are best known and with the unnamed larger half compose nature's magnificent if sometimes inharmonious symphony among those unnamed are to be found many fully the equals of those so imperfectly represented in the preceding penned pictures in fact the wood-thrushes and warblers unmentioned are as finished vocal performers as any of those heard in the open also in beauty and brilliancy of colouring some of the shyer and more silent wood residents eclipse their brethren of the fields but birds are not learned in a day Later on the student's eye and ear will begin to recognize such flashy men of color as Messrs. Tanager, Toey, Redstart, Waxwings, Redpoll, and scores of others making up the lengthy list of warblers, thrushes, wrens, flycatchers, and others less well known, especially by voice, which is often discordant in proportion to attractiveness of plumage.

these fragmentary glimpses and sound pictures of our flitting friends have been attempted with the intention of introducing them to the ear rather than to the eye too much importance is often attached to the appearance to the neglect of aural attractions nothing can exceed the pleasure afforded the enthusiast in ornithology when able to readily distinguish his feathered friends by songs notes trills and twitters making up their repertoires as their voices greet him when awakening no calendar is needed to trace the advancing seasons the new voices added to the morning chorus and its diminishing volume as summer departs gives audible record to the ear familiar with bird voice harmony again when abroad in pursuit of duty or pleasure a single note is sufficient to introduce to his ear a new or old-time friend he well knows the first glimpse will disclose a dull or bright hued coat whose owner's eyes are even then scanning him from some well-concealed cover if the learner would fully appreciate the charms of his bird acquaintances he should study each individual until known not only by appearance while at rest but in every light shade attitude and movement and he should study his voice until it is recognizable whether in full-throated song or modulated call or whistle an occasional hour or vacation may accomplish much and that often at our very doors but to know these breezy beautiful habitants aright city walls must be left behind Museum specimens, except for reference, must be shunned as inert, lifeless, and voiceless.

The bird, only known by appearance, is but half known.

I feel that a stranger who's seeking for knowledge is coming this way." Each took up a napkin, an end dipped in water, and cried, "Porcitorius, give him no quarter." While outside the door sundry knocks loud and clamorous, as Vulcan might deal when in humor sledgehammerous, were echoed within by three knocks just the same with the pertinent query, "How now, what's your game?" And a chap, Desoballe, in great perturbation, is run in very much like a prig to a station.

Disguised as he was through the apropos hole, the lady identified all worse Redpoll and thought, "Well, I wish you, poor fellow, good luck," or more to the purpose, "I wish you good pluck." For her father was urging in solemn oration, "You need, my young friend, for your fearful probation, endurance, true courage, and strong veneration.

We commence with, don't grin, sir, a pleasant frivolity.

Just give of endurance a taste of your quality.