BIRD BIOGRAPHIES 



are placed in bushes or on the ground. The eggs, pale 

 in color and flecked with brown, are well concealed by 

 their markings. Song sparrows, usually serene, grow in- 

 tensely nervous when the nest is approached, and betray 

 its whereabouts by their incessant Chip, chip. 



THE SONG SPARROW 



"See? See? See? The herald of spring you see! 

 What matters if winds blow piercingly! 

 The brook, long ice-bound, struggles through 

 Its glistening fetters, and murmurs anew 

 With joy at the freedom the days will bring 

 When the snow has gone! And I, too, sing! 



"See? See? See? A flush of color you see! 



The tassels are hung on the budding tree. 



Before it has drawn its curtain of leaves 



To shade the homes of the birds. Now weaves 



The silent spring a carpet fair. 



With wind-flower and hepatica there. 



"See? See? See? You are glad to welcome me. 

 You will hear my voice ring cheerfully 

 Through Summer's heat or days of rain 

 Until the winter has come again. 

 From dawn till dusk, my heart is gay. 

 And I sing my happy life away. 

 See? See? See?" 



[108] 



