LAISTD BIRDS OF THE DUNES 



endeavoring to catch a glimpse of an elusive 

 warbler that persists in dodging about on the 

 far side of a bush or tree, he distinguishes half 

 a dozen songs or call notes and catches 

 glimpses of as many more birds. It is a great 

 satisfaction for him to recognize a call note 

 which perhaps he last heard two or three years 

 before in Cape Breton or Labrador, and, after 

 as skilful stalking as that of any hunter, bring 

 the bird plainly into the field of his glasses 

 and thus confirm the diagnosis. 



But it is not merely the rare birds that glad- 

 den the heart of the bird-lover in these won- 

 derful spring days; it is the meeting with old 

 friends— birds that return with each spring 

 and sing their familiar songs— that satisfies 

 so deeply his soul. Have I not felt thrills run 

 up and down my back when the first brown 

 thrasher of the season has mounted a swing- 

 ing branch of barberry and carolled forth his 

 jolly song, so well emphasized by repetitions 

 of each theme, and have I not almost wept for 

 joy on hearing for the first time '' Hear me. 

 Saint Theresa " coming from the pines, for 

 I knew, although I saw him not, that the 

 black-throated green warbler had arrived 

 from the south again. 



93 



