III. 



THE MOCKING-BIRD'S NEST. 



" Superb and sole upon a plumed spray 

 That o'er the general leafage boldly grew," 



as literally as though Lanier had sketched that 

 particular bird, stood the first free mocking- 

 bird I ever heard. His perch was the topmost 

 twig of the tallest tree in the group. It was a 

 cedar, perhaps fifteen feet high, around which 

 a jasmine vine had clambered, and that morn- 

 ing opened a cluster of fragrant blossoms at his 

 feet, as though an offering to the most noted 

 singer on our side of the globe. As I drew 

 near he turned his clear, bright eye upon me, 

 and sang a welcome to North Carolina; and 

 several hours later, when the moon rose high 

 over the waters of the Sound, he completed his 

 perfect performance with a serenade, the like 

 of which I fear I may never hear again. I 

 chose to consider his attentions personal, be- 

 cause, of all the household, I am sure I was the 

 only one who listened, and I had passed over 

 many miles of rolling and tossing ocean to 

 make his acquaintance. 



