at this instant a flock of snow-birds came flitting through the air. as was very natural, they avoided violet and peony. but and this looked strange they flew at once to the white-robed child, fluttered eagerly about her head, alighted on her shoulders, and seemed to claim her as an old acquaintance. she, on her part, was evidently as glad to see these little birds, old winter's grandchildren, as they were to see her, and welcomed them by holding out both her hands. hereupon, they each and all tried to alight on her two palms and ten small fingers and thumbs, crowding one another off, with an immense fluttering of their tiny wings. one dear little bird nestled tenderly in her bosom; another put its bill to her lips. they were as joyous, all the while, and seemed as much in their element, as you may have seen them when sporting with a snow-storm.