Pewee, Wood 



His pensive, gentle ways are voiced by his sad, sweet 

 call. The notes are as musical and restful, as much a 

 part of Nature's hymn, as the soft humming of a brook. 



Chapman. Handbook of Birds.^^ 



He repeats his '' sweetly solemn thought" over and 

 over again, all day long and every day throughout the 

 summer. 



Neltje Blanchan. Bird Neighbors.^^ 



The Pewee 



The Hstening Dryads hushed the woods; 



The boughs were thick, and thin and few 



The golden ribbons fluttering through; 

 Their sun-embroidered, leafy hoods 



The lindens lifted to the blue; 

 Only a little forest-brook 

 The farthest hem of silence shook; 

 When in the hollow shades I heard — 

 What is it, a spirit or a bird? 

 Or, strayed from Eden, desolate. 

 Some Peri calling to her mate. 

 Whom nevermore her mate would cheer? 

 *'Peri! peri! peer!" 



To trace it in its green retreat 



I sought among the boughs in vain; 



And followed still the wandering strain, 

 So melancholy and so sweet. 



The dim-eyed violets yearned with pain. 



109 



