ILLUSTRATIVE NOTES. 327 



the sombre azure of heaven, a low murmur resounds on the summit 

 of a venerable pine, and is speedily followed by a more or less distinct 

 prattling ; then the notes arise, and an interminable series of keen 

 sounds strike the air on every side like a clang of swords continually 

 hurtled one against another. It is the coupling time of the wood- 

 cock. With his eye a-flame, he dances and springs on the branch, 

 while below him, in the copse, his hens repose tranquilly, and rever- 

 ently contemplate the mad antics of their lord and master. He is 

 not long left alone to animate the forest. The mavis rises in his 

 turn, shaking the dew from his glittering feathers. Behold him 

 whetting his bill upon the branch, and leaping from bough to bough, 

 up to the veiy crest of the maple tree where he has slept, astonished 

 to find nearly all life still slumbering in the forest, though the dawn 

 has taken the place of night. Twice, thrice, he hurls his fanfare at 

 tlie echoes of the mountain and the valley, which a dense mist still 

 envelopes. 



"Thin columns of white smoke escape from the roof of the cot- 

 tages ; the dogs bark around the farm-yards ; and the bells ring 

 suspended to the neck of the cow. The birds now quit their thickets, 

 flutter their wings, and dart into the air to salute the sun, which 

 once more comes to bless them with his bounteous light. More than 

 one poor little sparrow rejoices that he has escaped the perils of the 

 darkness. Perched on a little twig, he had trusted to enjoy his 

 slumber without alarm, his head buried beneath his wing, when^ by the 

 ray of a star, he discerned the noiseless screech-owl gliding through 

 the trees, intent upon some misdeed. The pole-cat stole from 

 the valley-depth, the ermine descended from the rock, the pine- 

 marten quitted his nest, the fox prowled among the bushes. All 

 these enemies the poor little one watched during this terrible night. 

 On his tree, on the earth, in the air — destruction menaced him on 

 every side. How long, how long were the hours when, not daring to 

 move, his only protection was the young leaves which screened him ! 

 And now, how great the pleasure to ply his unfettered wing, to live 

 in safety, protected, defended by the light ! 



