Harbinger

One of the earliest arriving birds of Spring is the Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe). I saw one yesterday in Green-Wood. There was much tail-wagging on the part of the bird, a characteristic of the species when it is perched, and rejoicing on mine (also characteristic of the species). The American Woodcock is an even earlier arrival — I saw my first a week or more ago in Bryant Park and two yesterday in Green-Wood — but it is rather more subtle bird, staying close to cover. It is the spy, in warm brown camouflage, while the Phoebe is the scout of spring.