THE BARE, BROWN FIELDS 



along toward the timber scattered trees and 

 sparse patches of brush dot the line of the 

 depression in the field. Rabbits are always 

 found in these places, and especially where 

 there is a cornfield at hand, or an old or- 

 chard. The grass along the " slues " is rusty 

 brown and crisp underfoot and burrs stick 

 in the clothing of the passer-by, and " beggar 

 lice/' the most pestiferous form of clinging 

 weed, gathers in great quantity on coats and 

 trousers. Tall weeds, some of them disput- 

 ing the way, and others broken and scarred 

 by the frosts, rise in all directions. 



Over open pastures the crows stalk, perch- 

 ing on fences, walking about the bare spots, 

 persistent gleaners of edible trifles, and cer- 

 tain of a living where aught can live. The 

 birds have mainly flown south, all but the 

 resolute jaybird; he flies across the fields, 

 over thickets, and through the woods alert, 

 mischievous, and confident. His bright blue 

 wings trail glintingly among sombre tree- 

 tops; his challenging cry echoes amid the 

 autumn silences. The robins are to the south- 

 ward, the swallow no longer dips in the 

 meadows, the thrush's spotted breast is ab- 

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