



THE SHORES. 



^"^ DECAY OF CERTAIN SPECIES. 



I HAVE frequently observed, in my days of sad- 

 ness, a being sadder still, which Melancholy might 

 have chosen for its symbol: I mean, the Dreamer of 

 the Marshes, the meditative bird that, in all seasons, 

 :i^ standing sohtarily before the dull waters, seems, 

 along with his image, to plunge in their miiTor his 

 monotonous thought. 

 His noble ebon-black crest, his pearl-gray mantle — this 

 semi-royal mourning contrasts with his Y>nnj body and 

 transparent leanness. When flying, the ])Oor heron dis- 

 plays but a couple of wings; low as is the elevation to 

 which he rises, there is no longer any question of his body — he 

 becomes invisible. An animal truly aerial, to bear so light a frame, 



