A Book on Birds 



Flycatcher, the Wood Pewee, the Spotted 

 Sandpiper and the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, 

 all of them making considerable noise and 

 music, but not one of them ever in sight. 

 And the same condition, in a general way, 

 prevails everywhere at this time of the year. 



Of course, there are reasons for this; 

 and tw^o of them — not to mention others — 

 are quite easily understood. 



First, the density of the foliage by the 

 end of June conceals a bird over and over 

 again, even though he is not thinking of 

 it, or gives him unlimited opportunities to 

 hide when he is. And the fact of the 

 matter is that, as a rule these days when 

 you are around, he is actually trying to hide. 



And with a wise purpose, too. Field 

 and forest are full of mystery in the month 

 of roses. There are gentle secrets almost 

 everywhere. And those the birds know 

 they are sparing no effort to keep to them- 

 selves. 



It is on this account they are stealthy 

 and endeavor to baffle and mislead you 

 with elusive sounds. 



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