THE RETURN OF THE BIRDS. 35 



habit of sitting long and silently within a 

 few feet of the precious charge, it seemed as 

 if the dear creature had resolved, if possible, 

 to avoid all observation. 



If we take the quality of melody as the 

 test, the wood-thrush, hermit-thrush, and the 

 veery-thrush stand at the head of our list of 

 songsters. 



The mocking-bird undoubtedly possesses 

 the greatest range of mere talent, the most 

 varied executive ability, and never fails to 

 surprise and delight one anew at each hear- 

 ing ; but being mostly an imitator, he never 

 approaches the serene beauty and sublimity 

 of the hermit-thrush. The word that best 

 expresses my feelings on hearing the mock- 

 ing-bird is admiration, though the first emo- 

 tion is one of surprise and incredulity. That 

 so many and such various notes should pro- 

 ceed from one throat is a marvel, and we 

 regard the performance with feelings akin 

 to those we experience on witnessing the 

 astounding feats of the athlete or gymnast, 

 and this, notwithstanding many of the 

 notes imitated have all the freshness and 

 sweetness of the originals. The emotions 

 excited by the songs of these thrushes belong 

 to a higher order, springing as they do from 



