Page:Bird-lore Vol 03.djvu/39

24 Bird -Lore association for us at this time. The martial choruses of Red-wings and Graclcles. the fifing of the Meadowlarks, the clarion of the Wild Geese, the morning and evening Robin concerts are all thrilling to the nature lover, but first place in this band of March musicians must be accorded the Fox Sparrow^, whose clear, ringing melody stands out in strong con- trast to his bleak surroundings, like a beautiful flower blossoming in the snow. BIRDS OF THE SEASON Permanent residents and winter visitants (see Bird-Lore, Dec, 1900, p. 184.) February Mit^rants. — February 15 to March 10, Purple Grackle, Rusty Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Robin. March Migrarits. — Appearing when ice leaves the bays and rivers, Loon, Ducks and Geese; March i-io (see February); 10-20, Woodcock, Phoebe, Meadowlark, Cow- bird, Fox Sparrow; 20-31, Wilson's Snipe, Kingfisher, Mourning Dove, Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow. Winter Visitants leaving for the North. — Horned Lark, Redpoll, Snowflake, Pine Grosbeak, Northern Shrike. FEBRUARY AND MARCH BIRD-LIFE NEAR PHILADELPHIA Bv VViTMER Stone February and March bring us the first migrants from the south. About the middle of the former month we almost always have one or two of those spring-like days which cause nature to stir in her winter slumber. Then we are likely to see the earliest migrant Robins, Blue- birds and, perhaps, Flickers, while little bunches of Crackles, Redwings and Rusty Blackbirds pass overhead, pushing steadily northward. The next week the country may be wrapped in snow, and long after we have recorded our pioneers from the south we may be surprised by a flock of Redpolls or other visitors from the north. This alternation of weather causes considerable irregularity in the dates of arrival of migrants during these months, but nearly all the species which occasionally winter either about Philadelphia or southern New Jersey will be observed before April I. We also hear the Canada Geese go honking northward along the river and find Wilson's Snipe on the meadows, while warm weather at the end of March sometimes brings us Martins and Tree Swallows. One observer must not expect to see all the early birds, however, and he who is located close to the river or on the New Jersey side will be more fortunate than his fellow observer west of the city. Winter visitants begin to leave us during March, but few of them disappear altogether before April i, and some few Tree Sparrows re- main after that date. Many species previously silent break forth in song and some of our Winter Sparrows give us a taste of their vocal abilities just before they leave us, while the resident Song Sparrows produce such a volume of melody that many think they have just arrived.