grasses. The lining may also consist of vancecl the bird will sometimes allow it- 

 dung, feathers, bark fiber, fragments of self to be caught on the nest rather than 

 snake skins and other fine materials that abandon its eggs. The nestlings, when 

 rnay be found in the vicinity. Some- disturbed, make a cHcking noise with 

 times the lining is entirely absent and their bills. When taken young, they 

 the eggs are laid on the foundation of are readily tamed, soon becoming at- 

 sticks. tached to their captor, showing a great 

 "The parents are devoted to their deal of sagacity and making amusing 

 young, and when incubation is well ad- and interesting pets." 



THE WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. 



A weary, weary wilderness ! 



What friend is this that hovers near? 

 'T — I — I — , pea-bod-dy, pea-bod-dy," 



My pulses quicken as I hear. 



Some friend long lost but ne'er forgot 



Seeks thus to win me with his plea 

 And, following to the wilderness. 



Speaks in the sgng that comes to me. ' 



little pearl-voiced bird ! one note 



Reveals thee, tells me whom thou art. 

 Voicing the while with quivering throat. 

 The triple beat of Nature's heart ! 



Like love's thy notes are softy keyed 



With pain — sweetest beside a cross — 

 As if a sorrowing angel stayed 



Its steps to tell us of its loss. 



A twig goes trembling as the bird 



Forsakes the bough and flutters down — 



1 see the gilding on thv wings. 



The snow that lies upon thy crown ! 



Then count the wilderness's pul'^e 



In thrice-repeated rhymic note, 

 I bless thee for thy constancy 



O minstrel with the pure white throat ! 



Or, if I gain the mountain height 



Where fir and rock are scattered free. 



Still true he wooes me with his song. 

 In breezy triplets calls to me. 



O weird, wild melody ! a strain 



Whose wondrous sweetness none can tell ! 

 Three tears that dropped from Nature's eyes 



Thrilling life's harpstrings as they fell. 



— Nelly Hart Wood worth. 



202 



