40 WHIMSICAL WHITE-THROATS 



Ms wariness in escaping the eyes and guns 

 of collectors. 



Part of the way the path ran through a 

 bit of woods, wholly old spruces, gloomy and 

 high-arched, with softest carpet of fallen 

 needles and green mosses, a grim and 

 sombre, yet somehow a noble way, with its 

 peacefulness and its unobscured views on 

 every side. We had emerged from the woods 

 and were passing along the deserted road, 

 listening as usual to various bird-notes, 

 prominent among them, as it invariably is 

 wherever it is heard, that of New England's 

 bird, the white-throated sparrow. Suddenly, 

 on one side, a rather harsh voice "broke out 

 into three or four loud, ringing triplets, 

 a rough imitation, as it seemed, of part of 

 the white-throat's song, though differing from 

 the genuine both in manner and in quality. 



" Some boy's poor attempt," I said. " I 

 could do better myself " ; and we went on, 

 a little annoyed at this intrusion upon our 

 quiet. 



In a moment we passed beyond the close 

 border of greenery beside the road, and came 

 into view of some very tall old trees farther 



