From the thriftless borders of ripening weeds busy flocks of yellowbirds in faded plumage scatter in sudden flight at one's approach like upblown flurries of dun leaves.

With them, at times, came robins and blackbirds, and occasionally yellowbirds and kingbirds.

The brush and trees were full of song—yellowbirds, linnets, chewinks, doves, wrens, and, best of all, a song sparrow,—bless his heart!—singing as if he were on a bush in New York state.

The yellowbird becomes active and conspicuous after the other birds have nearly all withdrawn from the stage and become silent, their broods reared and flown.

For instance: “A boy on his way to school found a yellowbird’s nest with four little birds in it,” is the recitation of a bare plot.