IV 

 THE QUEST OF A THRUSH 



THE FIRST YEAR 



To an enthusiastic bird-student nothing is 

 so alluring, so irresistibly attractive, as an 

 unfamiliar bird-song. Until the mystery is 

 solved, the unknown singer seen and identi- 

 fied, there is no rest for the eager pursuer. 

 If it chance that the spirit is hampered by 

 the body, if the student is unable to scramble 

 over rocks, tear through jungles, and wade 

 swamps hour after hour and day after day, 

 the case becomes sometimes really desperate, 

 and admirable opportunity is offered to cul- 

 tivate philosophy, to " learn to wait " in a 

 proper spirit. 



Several times since my eyes were opened 

 to the delights of bird-study I have fallen 

 under a spell of the sort. In most cases I 

 have been able to solve the problem and 

 name my bird at last, but in two or three 



