FABLE AND FOLKLORE 273 



in this volume; but few are as poetic and entertaining 

 as Mr. Nelson's contribution. 



The late Charles G. Leland found among the Algon- 

 kins of Maine and eastward a great number of tales 

 that he put into his books. One or two of them are 

 about birds, and these he threw into verse and pub- 

 lished them in a volume entitled Kuloskap the Master.^ 

 The longest and most romantic of these is the love- 

 story of the Leaf for the Red Bird (scarlet tanager), 

 quoted in part below: 



In the earliest time on the greatest mountain 

 Lived merry Mipis, the little leaf . . . 

 Listens all day to the birds and the breezes, 

 And goes to sleep to the song of the owl. 



Merry Mipis on a bright May morning 



Was stretching himself in the warm sunshine 



When he heard afar a wonderful music, 



A sound like a flute and the voice of a maiden, 



Rippling melodies melting in one. 



Never before had he heard such singing. 



Then looking up he beheld before him 



A beautiful merry little bird-girl, 



Dressed in garments of brilliant scarlet, 



Just like his own in the Indian summer. 



"O fairest of small birds," said merry Mipis, 



"Who are you, and what is your name?" 



Thus she answered: "I am Squ'tes, 



The Little Fire. . . . 



I have lived in the deep green forest, 



Even as you have for many ages, 



Singing my songs to K'musom'n, 



Unto our Father the mighty mountain; 



And, because he well loved my music, 



For a reward he sent me hither 



To seek a youth whose name is Mipis, 



Whom he wills that I should wed." 



This unexpected and rather unmaidenly avowal rather 



