108 LAND OF THE LINGERING SNOW. 



of the organ ; that of the dance and sunlight 

 rather than that of vespers. As a maker of 

 brilliant, vivacious music the fox sparrow stands 

 among the first. It deserves a place in the list 

 of the ten finest New England bird singers. In 

 voice, costume and manners the bird betrays 

 noble birth. It is a pity that it does not nest 

 within the limits of our country. 



Tearing ourselves away from the sparrows, we 

 returned to our boat. On the bits of driftwood 

 lining the shore I found multitudes of little 

 creatures which I could not distinguish from snow 

 fleas. If they are not the same they must be 

 next of kin to the jolly little winter bristletails. 

 The voyage back toward the sunset was not 

 eventful. A flock of black ducks passed up- 

 stream, flying high and at wonderful speed. 

 They are far from graceful, but they give one 

 the impression of immense power of wing. Had 

 this flock been well harnessed I think they could 

 have drawn me with them out of sight in golden 

 haze much faster than would have been comfort- 

 able. Redwings sang in every tree top. Crows 

 took long flights, cawing as they flew. Chicka- 

 dees in pairs responded to the phrebe note so well 

 mimicked by my companion. Muskrats swam in 

 the eddies of the stream. We saw two swim- 

 ming fast round and round a bunch of maples 

 standing alone in the water. They paid little 



