84 



Bird - Lore 



vinced that no hostilities were intended, he gave a long, trustful look 

 into the face of his benefactress and ilew to her feet. 



A gray squirrel frisking by stopped at the lunch-counter and seized 

 an ' Educator ' cracker. 



The novel sensation of an uncaged bird w^ithin touch, where one 

 might note the lovely shading of his plumage as one notes a flower, 

 was memorable ; but a sweeter surprise was in store. As we left the 

 house, having made obeisance to his eminence the Cardinal, the bird 



CARDINAL AND GRAY SQUIRREL 



flew into a spruce tree and saluted us with a melodious "Mizpah." 

 Then, as if reading the longing of our hearts, he opened his bright 

 bill, and a song came forth such as never before enraptured the air of 

 a New England March, — a song so copious, so free, so full of heav- 

 enly hope, that it seemed as if forever obliterated were the "tragic 

 memories of his race." 



As March advanced, several changes in the Cardinal were noted by 

 his ever-watchful friends. He made longer trips abroad, returning 

 tired and hungry. The restlessness of the unsatisfied heart was 

 plainly his. His long, sweet, interpolating whistle, variously ran- 



