A Book on Birds 



The aggregate number killed nevertheless 

 will appear comparatively insignificant when 

 one remembers how small a space all these 

 obstacles together must occupy in the 

 broad path of a hundred miles or so covered 

 by these winged itinerants of the night, 

 and how vast the multitude of them that 

 pass on unscathed must therefore be. 



^^ Peep-peep-peep !^^ I hear a lone and 

 plaintive note or two even now through 

 my open window as I drop off to slumber; 

 and listening with a quick thrill of sympathy 

 I wish each little pilgrim (though he leave 

 the fields I love quite silent till the spring) 

 Godspeed upon his way. 



[172] 



