BIRD AND ARBOUR DAY AT FOXES CORNERS 399 
early cauliflowers in the great field and I must help the 
farmer catch the cutworms.” 
“T will stay by also,” said the Woodpecker. “I know 
of a charming hole in an old telegraph pole and I can see 
to the bark of all the trees that shade the schoolhouse.” 
Just then a gust of wind blew through the branches, 
reminding the birds that they must go to work, and May 
passed by whispering with Heart of Nature, her com- 
panion, about the work that must be done before June 
should come, — June, with her gown all embroidered with 
roses and a circle of young birds fluttering about her 
head for a hat. 
“Dear Master,” May said, “why am I always hurried 
and always working? Ido more than all other months. 
July basks in the sun and August sits with her hands 
folded while the people gather in her crops. Each year 
March quarrels with Winter and does no work; then April 
cries her eyes out over her task, leaving it dim and colour- 
less. Even the willow wears only pale yellow wands 
until I touch them. The leaf buds only half unfold, and 
the birds hold aloof from the undraped trees; see, noth- 
ing thrives without me.’”? And May shook the branches 
of a cherry tree and it was powdered with white blossoms. 
“Nothing grows by or for itself,” said Heart of Nature, 
tenderly. ‘The tree is for bird and the bird for the tree, 
while both working together are for the house-people if 
they will only understand me and use them wisely. 
Never complain of work, sweet daughter May. Be thank- 
ful that you have the quickening touch, for to work in 
my garden is to be happy.” 
Then the Song Sparrow caught up the words and wove 
