322 Trees, Stars, and Birds 



America. In many states they are to be seen throughout 

 the year. Their hearty song is always welcome and 

 seems especially cheerful on cold but sunny days in the 

 latter part of winter. It sounds like Peace, peace, 

 peace be unto you my dear little children. It is usually 

 the first bird, music of the year to be heard out of doors. 

 What is the earliest date on which you have seen or heard 

 a song sparrow? 



1 There is a bird I know so well, 



It seems as if he must have sung 



Beside my crib when I was young ; 

 Before I knew the way to spell 



The name of even the smallest bird, 



His gentle-joyful song I heard. 

 Now see if you can tell, my dear, 

 What bird it is that, every year, 

 Sings "Sweet sweet sweet very merry cheer." 



He does not wear a Joseph's-coat 



Of many colors, smart and gay ; 



His suit is Quaker brown and gray, 

 With darker patches at his throat. 



And yet of all the well-dressed throng 



Not one can sing so brave a song. 

 It makes the pride of looks appear 

 A vain and foolish thing, to hear 

 His "Sweet sweet sweet very merry cheer." 



HENRY VAN DYKE 



The vesper sparrow. The vesper sparrow resembles 

 a song sparrow, but may be distinguished by its white 

 outer tail feathers, which show when the bird is flying. 

 It is very common, not in woods, but in fields, and may 

 run in front of you as you walk along a path. Its.. dull 

 dusty color harmonizes with its surroundings. It nests 



1 From The Poems of Henry van Dyke. Copyright, 1911, by Charles 

 Scribner's Sons. Used by permission of the publishers. 



