Singing chipping sparrow

What could be a better counterweight to the dreariness associated with income tax calculation than the first trills of a Chipping Sparrow? Oh, I know that, in the immortal words of Supreme Court justice Oliver Wendall Holmes, "Taxes are the price we pay for civilized society"—and for accomplishing collectively what we couldn't hope to achieve individually. But still, figuring out what we owe is tricky, even painful, so, with the effort finished, I took an aspirin, and went for a walk. In the hedgerow near the house, I heard a scurrying and then a dry rattle, as a "Chippy," resplendent in chestnut crown and white throat, perched on a branch and burst into song, announcing his return—and the matchless qualities of his genes. The guy's now looking for a mate, and if his song is convincing, he'll have a chance to carry on the species. I can't vouch for his fitness as a possible father, but the Chippy did a fine job of lifting my math-battered spirits.