200 



THE BLACKBIRD 



opening its green corollas edged with rose colour : on all 

 sides, in every nook and corner the woods seem to say : 

 « Spring has returned ! » 



In its heart of hearts the blackbird feels it also. In its 

 breast the desire of love is budding, just as buds are ap- 

 pearing on the boughs, and suddenly it begins to whistle 

 merrily. That alert whistle which resounds in tlie silent, 

 deserted forest is the first note on the fiddle which gives 

 the signal of the ever renewed, ever enchanting symphony 

 of spring. 





