24 In Touch with Nature. 



withered stem should ever linger the ghost of the 

 brilliant blossom. The leafless tree should still 

 cast that shade where in the long June days we 

 were wont to linger. If nothing of this comes of 

 a winter's walk, we have walked in vain. Our 

 limbs may have been exercised, it is true, but what 

 of our wits ? He who sees a winter cat-bird, as I 

 saw one to-day, will not be roused to enthusiasm if 

 the bird is but a mere accident, an overstaying 

 thrush, foolhardy rather than wise. As a mere 

 curiosity, the bird is a flat failure; but in the 

 meagre sunshine, that touched with gold the ice- 

 bound river, this same bird, by its mere presence, 

 clothed every tree with its full complement of 

 leaves ; restored the dead grass to a living green ; 

 unfolded blossoms upon every shrub. While the 

 bird tarried, the swift flight of the winter wind that 

 rocked the oaks and swept through the valley gave 

 forth no dolorous note ; it was but the breath of 

 summer, laden with the melody of many min- 

 strels. 



