shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks, Barred and Screech Owls, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Blue Jay, Crow, Goldfinch, Song Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Chickadee.
Generally speaking, the birds in the front rank of the feathered array which soon will invade the land are those whose winter quarters are farthest north, while those that winter farthest south bring up the rear.
From February 20 to March 10, therefore, we may expect to see Purple Grackles, Robins, Bluebirds, and Red-winged Blackbirds; birds that have wintered but a short distance south of us—if not with us—and who have accepted the slightest encouragement from the weather as an order to advance. All the first comers will doubtless be males, this sex, as a rule, preceding the females by several days.
About the middle of March we may look for the Woodcock, Meadowlark, Fox Sparrow, Cowbird, and Phoebe; their time of arrival being largely dependent upon the temperature—warm weather hastening, and cold weather retarding their movements.
Toward the last of March, Wilson's Snipe, the Kingfisher, Mourning Dove, Swamp and Field Sparrows are due.
Early in April the Purple Finch, White-throated, Vesper, and Chipping Sparrows will announce their return in familiar notes, and at the same time Tree Swallows, Myrtle Warblers, Pipits, and Hermit Thrushes will appear. They will soon be followed by Barn Swallows and Ruby-crowned Kinglets.
The migration is now well under way, and we go to the field with the assurance of meeting some lately arrived feathered friend almost daily. Between April 20 and 30 we will doubtless note among the newcomers, the Green Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Whip-poor-will,
