282 Walks in New England 



light greens to complement their deep shadows, 

 and make the scene one of the richest repose. 



In the midst of all the voices of the living choir 

 of ministrants were heard ; if from no other 

 throats, at least from those of the cheery chicka 

 dees, those lovely and fearless little birds that 

 when the snow comes dip into it with joy and 

 then rise to the tree tops and utter their simple 

 and honest warble of praise to what has made the 

 earth so good. Seeds to eat, by the millions 

 and what more is to be wanted ? And when one 

 hears the crow sound his knowing comment on 

 the way things are going, it is borne in upon 

 the wanderer that this is all right, and the 

 good time is coming. So when one sees the 

 hawk swinging and sailing aloft, he must feel the 

 mighty unity of all the glorious earth, which has 

 so much room for all life. To this also contribute 

 the footprints of field mice and squirrels, of juncos 

 and grouse the grouse are scarce hereabouts, but 

 they are not quite exterminated by the gunners. 

 Yet it is true that in the woods where the partridge 

 berries most abound the ungathered fruit shows 

 that these most attractive of game birds have been 

 sadly reduced in numbers. 



In such days as these, which prefigure the 

 spring, there is a wonderful sense of cordial wel 

 come in the phenomena of Nature. There is an 



