66 THE MOUNTAINS 



flappings of the wide wings, and yet how 

 strong and competent the flying is ! True, 

 there is undulation, but its lines are not 

 beautiful, and there is no real waste of 

 either time or energy. In its own awk- 

 ward fashion the woodpecker's flight is 

 as direct and powerful as is the swift, 

 flashing flight of the sharp-shinned hawk. 

 In contrast with this bourgeoisie, let 

 us place that black and gold sprite of the 

 extreme tree tops, that sunny optimist 

 of the wide expanse, our American 

 goldfinch. Perhaps you yourself have 

 chanced to hear his blithe per-chico-o-ree, 

 and quickly looked toward the sky and 

 strained your eyes to follow his ecstatic 

 flight? How careless as to goal, as to 

 time, as to expenditure of force! And 

 what undulations, what entirely different 

 undulations now, what rhythmic waves of 

 joyous motion, what a charming tonic of 

 hilarity ! The flight of an American gold- 

 finch is the full expression of a happy 

 nature. 



