Q The Wilson Bulletin.— No. 42. 



every spring to see one in blossom — and found it at our 

 door. That little bush that arches over the path held a 

 Red-eyed Vireo's nest that we might have touched by put- 

 ting out our hand when we passed, but the secret was faith- 

 fully kept until autumn. 



The grape-vines at our right which run riot over the bush- 

 es are forever associated in my mind with, a concert of Ruby- 

 crowned Kinglets one April morning. It was not only the 

 first time I had seen the kinglet at close range, but also the 

 first view of that wonderful dazzling ruby-cap, and when the 

 discovery was made that the loud ringing warble came from 

 his tiny throat, it was, indeed, a red-letter day. And so I 

 might attach some reminiscence to every tree and shrub 

 along the way. 



Down the hill and across the brook lies a large clump of 

 witch hazel; in the marsh beyond it amid willows and sweet 

 fern and spice bushes, the Maryland Yellow-throat loves to 

 sing his witch-ity, luitch-ity, zvitcli-ity, zuiic/i, disclosing his 

 own name, I suspect, for who ever found him where he pre- 

 tended to be.'' The sly rascal can stay nearer one and yet 

 remain hidden than any other bird I know, and for his nest 

 — but I still have hopes. 



Around the bend you enter the woodland and the brook 

 glides into a trout pond. The walk is dim and woodsy now, 

 and we name it Thrush Alley, for in migration time the Her- 

 mit and the Veery flit before us in their silent, dignified 

 way, and the Wood Thrush remains to build. 



In the pond the Kingfisher pays no attention to the signs 

 regarding the wayward fisherman but springs his rattle as if 

 he were a patrol. Sandpipers love to teeter on the mossy 

 logs, Bitterns pay it frequent visits; and once in August two 

 magnificent Blue Herons remained in full view with perfect 

 placidity until some noisy people, who came along the dam, 

 offended them — regardless of the law of the forest — by much 

 pointing and babbling. On either hand the partridge berry 

 covers the ground with glossy green and embroiders it with 

 beautiful, sweet scented, starry flowers in June. Down by 



