BIRD BIOGRAPHIES 



that gives it a high rank. The song sparrow's lay usually 

 consists of three similar notes sung in a major key with 

 a rising inflection, and followed by a cheerful trill; the 

 vesper sparrow's song generally has two plaintive notes 

 preceding a trill, sung in a minor key. It is particularly 

 beautiful and uplifting when several vesper sparrows are 

 singing at sunset. 



THE VESPER SPARROW 



When the meadows are brown or flushed with greens 



And the lark's glad note rings clear, — 

 When the field sparrow's voice like a silver bell 



Chimes a melody sweet to hear, — 

 A small brown bird with bay-capped wings 



And feathers white in his tail, 

 Flutters along by a roadside hedge 



And alights on a zigzag rail, 

 And breathes forth a song entrancing, 



Of a beauty surpassed by few — 

 A wistful, plaintive, minor strain — 



"0 Sweetheart, I love you!" 



When a mist of green o'erspreads the trees, 



And corals and rubies gay 

 Are hung on the maple and red-bud boughs, 



And the brooks are babbling away, — 

 When the setting sun goes down in a glow 



Of the purest primrose gold, 

 And the pearly east reflects a flush 



From the glories the west doth hold, — 

 This brown bird then, with a soul in his voice, 



Sings to his mate so true 

 The tenderest song of the April choir — 



''O Sweetheart, I love you!" 



[150] 



