For a late walk (1215-1445) at Cromwell, the avian activity was predict-
ably slight, but the exercise was enjoyable. For the first time I've birded
the park recently, the land exhibited signs of change to the vernal season,
bathed in warm sun and ceiled by blue skies and fair weather cumulus
clouds. Snow Drops, in bloom for over a week, were still doing well. As
I viewed a new growth of water cress in a large, flowing spring, I spotted
a single, ominous bloom of the seemingly omnipresent Lesser Celendine,
which seems destined to carpet the earth. On a more sanguine note, as I 
walked the path, I reached down to pick up an unusual plastic object for
closer scrutiny and almost touched a small, colorful Garter Snake, which
sluggishly slithered a few inches away. Earlier, I'd closely examined the
cracks in several lime kilns, in hopes of spotting any snakes emerging for
a bask in the sun, so this was a welcome sign.

Birds noted: a TURKEY VULTURE, a resident RED-TAILED HAWK,
and two adult BALD EAGLES, whose tails looked somewhat pink or
reddish, as illumined by the sun, now well past noon (1315); also, CAR-
OLINA CHICKADEE, TUFTED TIT, WHITE-BREASTED NUT-
HATCH (Red-vented Nuthatch?), a single TREE SWALLOW, BLUE-
BIRDS, ROBINS everywhere, A. CROWS, and a single MYRTLE 
WARBLER. Walking along the hedgerow area, I was entertained by a
small flock (7) of JUNCO's, with their tinkling chip notes as they for-
aged on the ground ahead of me. At one point, I thought I detected the
notes of a Phoebe, but when these raspy calls were succeeded by that of
Carolina Wren, Titmouse and several others, I realized ol' Mimus poly-
glottos (N. Mock'bird) had pulled the string on me again. Later, I did,
indeed, hear the CAROLINA WREN at point-blank range, but could not
see it! Surprisingly, I did not see or hear a single sparrow, but did spot a 
bevy of MOURNING DOVES, which put me in mind of an old roman-
tic comedy film, featuring Ronald Reagan and Eleanor Parker, entitled
The Voice of the Turtle (?). At the conclusion, as all were lovey-dovey,
a portentous voice, seemingly from on high, intoned, "And once again
the voice of the turtle was heard throughout the land". Okay, maybe
that was a parahrase, but you get the idea.

Paul Noell
Balto.  MD


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