250 IN BIRD LAND. 
“The bluebird shifting his light load of song 
From post to post along the cheerless fence ; 
while it would puzzle one to find anywhere a more 
poetical and at the same time realistic portrayal 
than this, — 
“Far distant sounds the hidden chickadee 
Close at my side,” — 
especially if the reference be to the little black- 
capped titmouse’s minor whistle, which has a 
strange, sad remoteness when heard in the sylvan 
depth, reminding one of the myth of Orpheus 
mourning for his lost love. No less vivid are the 
lines, — 
“The phcebe scarce whistles 
Once an hour to his fellow ;” 
or these, — 
“ O’erhead the balanced hen-hawk slides, 
Twinned in the river’s heaven below;” 
or this description of a winter scene, — 
“T stood and watched by the window 
The noiseless work of the sky, 
And the sudden flurries of snow-birds 
Like brown leaves whirling by.” 
Hark ! — 
“ All pleasant winds from south and west 
With lullabies thine ears beguiled, 
Rocking thee in thine oriole’s nest, 
Till Nature looked at thee and smiled.” 
Listen again ! — 
“The sobered robin, hunger-silent now, 
Seeks cedar-berries blue, his autumn cheer.” 
