BIRTH AND INFANT DAYS 11 



vibrating noise, and the sopranos and contraltos 

 combined to create a most harmonious choir. The 

 magic of the silvery voices gave the moose courage, 

 and more than anything just then he wanted to see 

 one of the tiny atoms whose music daily wakes the 

 bush in spring from sleep. Any little alarm, crack 

 of twig, or ominous rustle in the undergrowth, sent 

 him back at first with beating heart to the com- 

 parative safety of his covert ; but gradually the 

 confidence and inquisitiveness of youth conquered, 

 and he forgot everything save how young he was, 

 and how much he thanked the beavers for saving 

 the world for him. Tossing his quaintly charming 

 head, he took some gigantic leaps into the air, kicking 

 out his long legs when at the height of his jump. 



Carefully the calf approached the thick brush- 

 wood, and as he came the bird popped out on the 

 other side, Silence awhile. Then a trying-it-on- 

 sort of chirrup, then another in more assertive tones, 

 and soon all the island was ringing again with the 

 glorious twisting notes. 



The day had been so perfect, the sad day of the 

 moose cow's going. The calf had even seen his 

 first butterfly, a frail wraith fluttering weakly over 

 the river, into which it fell, and ended its brief career. 



