Song Birds and Water Fowl 
as passionless as if it were cold moonlight’s in- 
carnation. Its darkened, downward inflected 
notes spring from the solitude like a purple 
bending flower from out the earth—an audible 
inflorescence of the woodland silence. To the 
general eye its name is, so to speak, not carved 
in deep and clear-cut granite characters, but is 
like an antique inscription, richly overgrown 
and half obliterated by the poetic moss of 
mystery. 
Of all the birds common to this region, the 
cuckoo bears, perhaps, the strongest impress 
of graceful femininity. Doubtless this is due 
in part to its delicate attire of soft ‘‘ quaker 
brown’’ above and white beneath; but it is 
quite as much induced by the dainty gentleness 
of its ways, both in motion and repose, and by 
an indefinable reserve that seems quite different 
from ordinary timidity. Its long and slender 
drooping form, betokening a pliant nature, 
emphasizes the same impression. Its figure 
and demeanor are suggestive of the wild 
pigeon—a feathered symbol of tranquillity and 
meekness. We at once feel the propriety of 
saying Sir Robin and Master Oriole, for they 
both display masculine vigor in all their grace- 
ful conduct ; and, with the same sense of con- 
100 
