Mr. Esau 159 



tial, if such a word can be used in connection 

 with a bird. They Fletcherized their food, made 

 love, fought their little battles, told their stories 

 and sang their songs, as though I was quite one of 

 them. To some it will seem like extravagant 

 sentiment, even when considered in the light of the 

 thick coming fancies of a sick man, but to this day 

 I feel that I shall stumble and lose my way if I 

 attempt to tell all that is in my heart of the minis- 

 try of these wild bird friends who visited me 

 when I could not go to the forest where Spring 

 and Summer meet. 



"Ah ! who shall lift the wand of magic power, 



And the lost clew regain? 

 The unfinished window in Aladdin's tower 

 Unfinished must remain." 



