In the Wake of the Brown Thrasher 



Then, however, and for several weeks 

 after, you may start out any sunht day 

 and be sure of finding him and hearing him 

 hold forth for you at length and unafraid; 

 provided, nevertheless, you go before ten 

 o^clock, if in the morning, or not earher 

 than four, if your trip be taken in the 

 afternoon. 



And it is quite probable he will make 

 himself known while you are yet afar off; 

 for his notes have the clear quahty that 

 gives them carrying power. 



Selecting a branch so located that there 

 shall be naught between him and the 

 slanting or level light from the east or 

 west, he pours forth a rich and varied 

 strain that loses little even by comparison 

 with that of his more aristocratic cousin 

 of the South — a strain which contains for 

 him such ecstasy of dehght that he over- 

 looks your approach until you are so 

 near you can discern the brilhant yellow 

 of his eyes, the surge of his mottled breast 

 and the opening and closing of his long and 

 slender beak. 



[57] 



