The White Pelican as it calmly floats Was it Shingebis the diver? 



on the surface of the water, some distance Or the pelican, the Shada ? 



from the shore, has been mistaken for the Or the heron, the Shuh-shuh-gah ? 



sail of a boat as the moist white feathers Or the white-goose, Waw-be-wawa, 



glisten in the sunshine. With the water dripping, flashing 



Longfellow has beautifully woven this From its glossy neck and feathers? 

 fact into the "Song of Hiawatha." It was neither goose nor diver, 



"O'er the water floating, flying, Neither pelican nor heron 



Something in the hazy distance, O'er the water floating, flying, 



Something in the mists of morning, Through the shining mist of morning, 



Loomed and lifted from the water, But a birch canoe with paddles, 



Now seemed floating, now seemed flying, Rising, sinking on the water." 

 Coming nearer, nearer, nearer. Seth Mind well. 



THE SANDPIPER. 



The glitter of the sunlit river 



In his flashing, fearless eye, 

 There on his unwearied pinions 



See the bird go sailing by! 



Slender, sword-like wings, and dainty, 



How they cut the thin air now! 

 And without a trace of languor 



Soars he to the mountain's brow. 



Back again for whim has moved him 



And where rippling water lies, 

 Scanning all the shore line closely, 



Light as thistle-down he flies! 



On the white sand scarce a footprint 



Makes he, touching here and there; 

 Singing his two notes so gladly, 



Ah, this bird is passing fair! 



Sweet content in voice and motion; 



Following plash of many a wave; 

 Or o'er pine that faces ocean 



Mounts this rover, gay and brave! 



George Bancroft Griffith, 



114 



