"A characteristic winter scene" Feb. 18 - 1875 in company with robins on the asparagus bed just above Mr. J. Birds in Watertown; then we the first hour through a flock of 30 was seen by C. G. Maynard in Newtonville on the 10th inst. This morning I took the car to Mt. Auburn and struck off on to the farm for a forenoon tramp. The day though cold was still and clear and all the birds noticed were particularly cheery and active. I first came across a small company of juncos and killed them at a shot! The rusty profuse edging of the feathers is about half torn off or to put it in a nut shell the plumage is midway between the autumnal and breeding stages. Some of the males were singing in chorus as if. As I came up behind the cedar ridge a perfect din of bird voices struck my ear and passing cautiously through the trees I looked down upon a most characteristic assemblage of our winter birds. The sun lay warmly in that sheltered little valley giving a most marked contrast with the bleak wind swept hill top I had just left. Sitting upon the apple tree was at least 50 robins while fluttering over the asparagus sprays were as many more of the same species, while the air was continually filled with individuals coming and going. On the left under the cedar was a chattering merry band of tree sparrows, and the occasional scream of a jay or loud call of the flicker came from the oak wooded beyond. The trees were very noisy, calling continually to