86 THE FRIENDSHIP OF NATURE 



cold, sociable or remote, one for each 

 thought, one for each mood, one for 

 every passion. A bird for every day, 

 from the ghostly white owl skimming 

 the January meadows, to the humming- 

 bird that darts roseward in the mid- 

 summer twilight. 



The sun in its journey from equinox 

 to equinox marks out the seasons, but 

 they are brought nearer to the eye and 

 heart by the shifting calendar of 

 feathers that measures the seasons by 

 its songs, changes of colour, and com- 

 ings and goings. The birds are more 

 time-true than the flowers, who may be 

 hidden by late snows, or cut off by 

 early frosts. To claim the confidence 

 of one feathered brother, to compass 

 his ways and learn his secrets, to 

 fathom his traits and philosophy, to 

 gain recognition from him, is a labour 

 worthy of trial. 



