NURSLINGS OF THE SKY 



ginning of winter, before there is yet any 

 snow except the perpetual high banks, are 

 best worth while to watch. These come 

 often before the late bloomers are gone 

 and while the migratory birds are still in 

 the piney woods. Down in the valley you 

 see little but the flocking of blackbirds in 

 the streets, or the low flight of mallards 

 over the tulares, and the gathering of 

 clouds behind Williamson. First there is 

 a waiting stillness in the wood; the pine- 

 trees creak although there is no wind, the 

 sky glowers, the firs rock by the water 

 borders. The noise of the creek rises in- 

 sistently and falls off a full note like a child 

 abashed by sudden silence in the room. 

 This changing of the stream-tone following 

 tardily the changes of the sun on melting 

 snows is most meaningful of wood notes. 

 After it runs a little trumpeter wind to cry 

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