February 8, 1860

We have had much of the weather for a month past, reminding us of spring.  February may be called earine (springlike).  There is a peculiarity in the air when the temperature is thus high and the weather fair, at this season, which makes sounds more clear & pervading, as if they trusted themselves abroad further in this genial state of the air.  A different sound comes to my ear now from iron rails which are struck, as from the cawing crows, etc. Sound is not abrupt, piercing, or rending, but softly sweet & musical.  It will take a yet more genial & milder air before the bluebird's warble can be heard.

Henry David Thereau