FOREST SOUNDS. 75 



welcome neighbors, the captivating little aria 

 burst upon his ear. Instantly snakes were for- 

 gotten, his absorbing passion took full posses- 

 sion, and he crashed recklessly through the 

 briers and laurels in pursuit. It is pleasant to 

 know, further, that he found not only the singer, 

 but his nest, which was the first he had ever 

 seen, and gave him a delight known only to en- 

 thusiastic bird-lovers. 



The morning after the absurd incident of a 

 mouse-hunt, by the dog who in his character of 

 protector was our daily companion, we started 

 out afresh, with ears for nothing but wren songs. 

 Making a wide detour to avoid the scene of yes- 

 terday's excitement, we were soon comfortably 

 seated near the spot the wren seemed to haunt, 

 and silence fell between us. That is to say, toe 

 were quiet, though nothing is farther from the 

 truth than our common expression " silent 

 woods." The forest is never silent. Hushed 

 it may be of man's clamor, and empty as well 

 of his presence, but it is filled with sounds from 

 its own abundant life ; not so loud, perhaps, and 

 aggressive to the ear as the rumble of Broad- 

 way, but fully as continuous ; and if the human 

 wanderer in its delightsome shades will but 

 bring his own noisy progress to a halt, he will 

 enjoy a new sensation. There is the breeze 

 that sets all the leaves to whispering, not to 



