THE SALT MARSH. 23 



After the storm, the calm. There followed 

 upon this rough voyage weeks of quiet, delight- 

 ful bird-study, whose long sunny days were 

 passed in the fragrant depths of pine groves, 

 under arching forest of sweet-gum trees, or on 

 the shore of the salt marsh ; but wherever, or 

 however, always following and spying out the 

 ways of the feathered world. 



The bird of the South — the mocking-bird, 

 was the first object of study. By day he was 

 watched and noted, during the long twilight he 

 was listened to, and at midnight sleep was often 

 banished by his wonderful and enchanting 

 voice. Gray and inconspicuous in coloring, we 

 all know him in the cage ; but how different in 

 freedom ! how wild and bewitching his song ! 

 how wise and knowing his ways ! how well 

 worth weeks of study is this one bird ! 



Here were dozens of other birds also. What 

 keen delight to one fresh from the town, to 

 look over the marsh where 



" Leagues and leagues of marsh grass, waist high, broad in 



the blade, 

 Green and all of a height, and unflecked with a light or a 



shade, 

 Stretch leisurely off in a pleasant plain 

 To the terminal blue of the main ; " 



to watch the great snowy heron sweeping over 

 with broad white wing, tripping gracefully 



