On a mild day late in February or early in March, before winter is
really over and snow has entirely disappeared, one may hear the cheerful
voice of the song sparrow, the welcome chirp of the robin, or the sweet
note of the bluebird. Even though ice and snow return, courage is
renewed with the advent of winged messengers who presage the ever fresh
miracle of spring, and who hold home-love in their hearts so strong that
they brave cold and distance to return to the "Land of Their Hearts'
Desire."
As the season advances, other birds arrive. A "dusky line" of wild geese
"honk" noisily; flocks of grackles "creak" from the pines; red-winged
blackbirds join the hylas in awakening the marshes; phoebes call
disconsolately for their mates; fox sparrows, chewinks, and
white-throats sing melodiously from thickets; cowbirds appear in fields,
which ring with the clear songs of meadowlarks and the tender notes of
field and vesper sparrows. Mourning doves coo gently to each other;
chipping sparrows make their homes in our gardens; kingfishers sound
their rattles; flickers and red-headed woodpeckers raise their loud
voices. The hills "clap their hands with joy"; the earth shows a flush
of green and gold; trees and shrubs are touched with colors more
exquisite than in autumn; wild-flowers carpet the woods and fields, and
brooks join in the chorus of bird-song.
As the birds appear, it is not difficult to distinguish them, if one
begins before the great migration of late April or early May, and goes
forth with alert senses and infinite patience and perseverance. With a
reliable guide-book, a learner may be reasonably sure of the early
migrants, because only certain species of large and confusing families
are to be found during March and early April.
In watching birds, a student learns to observe with lightning speed; to
note color and comparative size; distinguishing marks such as crests or
striped crowns, spots on breast or throat, bars on wings or tail; the
length and shape of bill, wings, tail, and legs. He learns also to
notice whether the bird walks, runs, hops, or "teeters"; whether its
flight is swift or slow, direct like a robin's, undulating like a
goldfinch's, soaring like that of hawks and eagles, labored or jerky
like woodpeckers', or graceful and "skimming" like that of swallows.
A careful observer notices also whether the bird was seen in a plowed
field or a grassy pasture; by a roadside or in a thicket; in an orchard
or an open grove; in deep woods or coniferous forests; in a treetop, on
a tree-trunk, on the ground; near a stream, a pond, or a marsh; near a
sandy or a rocky shore; in an arid region, or among mountains.
A sure means of identification for many species is the song or the
call-note. The songs of some birds are similar to those of others, but
there is usually a characteristic note or strain. When beginning my
study of birds, I traced every sound I could to its source, waited till
I saw the author of the note or song, listened till I learned it, could
reproduce it, or at least be sure of future recognition. I found that
the training of my sense of hearing opened an avenue of enjoyment of
which I had been utterly unconscious; many others testify to a similar
pleasure. Thoreau speaks repeatedly of his joy in sound and even in
silence. Truly the voice of God may thus be heard and His infinite power
further revealed.