THE FINCH 



Taking a walk in llic woods on one of the 

 first fine days oF March, I heard in the dis- 

 tance the merry song of a bird. At that time 

 of the year the leafless forest has the sonority 

 of an empty dwelling and that early song 



.-S?*5'??*- rang joyously through the woods like the fore- 

 ^" "-'V' runner of coming spring. The song consisted 

 " of three parts : a lively prelude, a trill and a final 

 modulation with a powerful, delicate sound. I lecognized 

 the song of the finch, and that strain of early spring 

 brought back to my mind a remembrance of clii Id- 

 hood, which secnud lo ris(^ from afar, like the st)ng, 

 from the very depths of the forest. 



