INSTINCT 



the strain, and while its memory still lingers, 

 I find myself longing to know the whole 

 secret of its charm. However, years ago I 

 settled the matter in my mind and note-book, 

 as the following entry will show : * The song 

 of the hermit-thrush is the Spirit of Nature 

 chanting the mystery of life. When the mys- 

 tery is solved we shall understand the song.' 



" Day faded into twilight, and twilight into 

 night, and still that exalted anthem solemnly 

 pealed through the forest. It was after ten 

 o'clock when the strain died out in a few 

 broken notes. 



" Thanks to the hermit-thrush, my thoughts 

 were turned into a new and healthy channel. 

 I fell asleep that night on my fragrant bed 

 of fir-boughs, at peace with the whole world." 



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