ESTHETIC RELATIONS OF BIRDS. H 



for me only as a name, now became an inhabitant of my 

 woods, a part of my life. "With what a new interest I 

 got down my books again, eagerly reading every item 

 concerning this new friend ; its travels, habits, and notes ; 

 comparing the observations of others with what were 

 now my own ! 



The study of birds is not restricted to any special sea- 

 son. Some species are always with us. Long after the 

 leaves have fallen and the fields are bare and brown, 

 when insect voices are hushed, and even some mammals 

 are sleeping their winter sleep, the cheery Juncos flit 

 about our doorstep, the White-throats twitter cozily from 

 the evergreens. Tree Sparrows chatter gayly over their 

 breakfast of seeds, and Crows are calling from the woods. 

 Birds are the only living creatures to be seen ; what a 

 sense of companionship their presence gives ; how deso- 

 late the earth would seem without them ! 



The ease with which we may become familiar with 

 these feathered neighbors of ours robs ignorance of all 

 excuses. Once aware of their existence, and we shall see 

 a bird in every bush and find the heavens their pathway. 

 One moment w^e may admire their beauty of plumage, 

 the next marvel at the ease and grace with wdiich they 

 dash by us or circle high overhead. 



But birds wall appeal to us most strongly through 

 their songs. When your ears are attuned to the music 

 of birds, your world will be transformed. Birds' songs 

 are the most eloquent of Nature's voices : the gay carol of 

 the Grosbeak in the morning, the dreamy, midday call 

 of the Pewee, the vesper hymn of the Thrush, the clang- 

 ing of Geese in the springtime, the farewell of the Blue- 

 bird in the fall — how clearly each one expresses the senti- 

 ment of the hour or season ! 



Having learned a bird's language, you experience an 

 increased feeling of comradeship wdth it. You may even 



