BIRD MUSIC 149 



large arbor vitae in which a blackbird roosted every 

 night on a level with my window. Now, every morn- 

 ing at half-past three this bird would begin to sing and 

 go on repeating his song at short intervals for about 

 half an hour. It was very silent at that time ; I could 

 hear no other bird ; and the sound coming in at the 

 open window from a distance of but five yards had 

 such a marvellous beauty that I could have wished for 

 no more blessed existence than to lie there, head on 

 pillow, with the pale early light and the perfume of 

 night-flowers in the room, listening to that divine 

 sound. 



