xi. MASTER IMPERTINENCE. 165 



structure that skilled anatomists are able from a fragment 

 a tooth, a bone, a beak, a foot to reconstruct the 

 extinct animal of which they formed a part. That foot of 

 the grebe would at once suggest a bird of the swimming 

 type ; so, too, the powerful notched beak of an eagle would 

 tell of a bird which hunted living prey, of keen eyesight, 

 of powerful night, of deeply-keeled breast bone, of cruel 

 talons. No doubt anatomists may make mistakes, but the 

 greater the insight the fewer their number. 



And now I must bring to a close these somewhat 

 desultory remarks on birds, perhaps not unfitly introduced 

 by the impertinent sparrow. It has been my aim not so 

 much to impart information as to act the part of showman, 

 standing at the door and bidding you " walk up " and, enter- 

 ing Nature's magnificent show-rooms, question her your- 

 selves concerning her living treasures of the air. At most 

 I have lifted a corner of the curtain by the entrance that 

 you might catch a glimpse of the beautiful forms within. 

 There is much of the life of birds of which I have said 

 nothing. Go forth into the woods and through the fields, 

 by the streams and along the shore, and watch, and listen, 

 and cherish a thankful heart. I have spoken of the 

 visible charm of the flight of birds ; I have been silent 

 about the melting richness of their song. 



' ' Hark, where my blossomed pear-tree in the hedge 

 Leans to the field and scatters on the clover 

 Blossoms and dewdrops at the bent spray's edge 

 That's the wise thrush ; he sings each song twice over 

 Lest you should think he never could recapture 

 The first fine careless rapture." 



But even Browning cannot do more than suggest, would 

 not attempt to describe, the song of the thrush. The 

 notes must be heard to be appreciated. They cannot be 



