274 THE CLERK OF THE WOODS 



singing, and to-day (May 8) the first chest- 

 nut-sides are with me. And there are num- 

 bers to follow. From now till the end of 

 the month they will be coming and going 

 a procession of beauty. In my mind I can 

 already see them : the gorgeous redstart, 

 the lovely blue golden-wing, the splendid 

 magnolia, and the more splendid Black- 

 burnian, the Cape May (a " seldom plea- 

 sure "), and the multitudinous blackpoll 

 these and many others that are no less 

 worthy. At this time of the year a man 

 should have nothing to do but to live in the 

 sun and look at the passing show. 



