62 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 Jan. 28 I heard on among a large flock warbling a few practising strains in: an undertone as they are wont to do at this season, were checked by the feath brows of our wintery Sun, and it seemed to me that he needed only a few kind words of encouragement to burst forth into his bold singing April Song; perhaps some governing Spirit abroad among them had issued his "Stem commands that no such unseasonal revelry should be indulged in, and these youngsters though unable to entirely suppress their exuberance of spirits put a check on their list movements fearful of the they might incur the displeasure of their elders. I noticed in the beginning of the winter that the cedar berries but a scant supply of berries and to day on examination I find that nine tenths of the trees have been entirely stripped of them by the wintery birds. I have been accustomed to consider the extent of this crop an approximate indication of the numbers of grosbeaks robins and cedar birds which might be expected during the winter months, but the experience of this season has convinced me that little if any reliance can be placed on this sign. I have seen heretofore that also confident that the severity of individual winters has no bearing whatever; as for instance in the present season the prevalence of snow & cold which might have brought the grosbeaks South would likely bring the robins North at nearly alike.