320 THE MOUNTAIN. 



rates, as by a comb, the inclined planes of the East Missis- 

 sippi Yalley and Atlantic slope. In their migrations north 

 and south, following the brush of the sun, many birds 

 journey through the interior valley, as their track of travel, 

 but perhaps a larger number take the Atlantic side, finding 

 in both these regions milder climate, and more food than the 

 mountain crests afford. This applies both to land and water 

 birds, but especially the latter. The larger aquatic birds 

 having oceanic affinities, of course take the Atlantic side, 

 while the birds that have lacustrine and river habits prefer 

 the interior valley in their transits. These points are arranged 

 by the harmonious economics on the question of food and 

 comfort. The bird that breeds on the shores of Hudson's 

 Bay and passes the winter on the shores of the Gulf of 

 Mexico, will make the journeys between these points over 

 the route on which he finds the best "bed and board." The 

 rivulets of the Mississippi and Atlantic running from the 

 mountain form but few bodies of water on those heights, 

 consequently, the aquatic birds avoid these ranges in their 

 journeyings. This is also the case with the land birds that 

 breed far north, and consequently, the Alleghany is not 

 visited by as large a number of birds, both land and water, 

 as the other lines of surfaces above designated. 



To the thoughtful observer, one of the most imposing ex- 

 periences of the deep forests of this range, is their unbroken 

 silence from the absence of animal life in every shape, particu- 

 larly birds. Frequently, for great extents, a stillness as of 

 the grave reigns ; no life, no motion, but a solemn and op- 

 pressive calm broods over the wilderness. If there is no 

 wind, which always gives motion and the semblance of life, 

 from creaking branches and rustling leaves, a fragment of 

 bark, a limb, or a tree falling, startles as if the spirit-world 

 were invaded and the seclusion and quiet of death pro- 

 faned. At certain seasons this cheerlessness and solitude is 

 more striking than at others. This scarcity of birds is, no 

 doubt, accounted for by the want of the variety of food 



