384 UPLAND AND MEADOW. 



straiglit white stems were bare of branches on the north- 

 ern side, and the bright yellow foliage of the southward- 

 reaching branches made a magnificent background. I 

 know of no purer white in nature than that of these 

 birches; at a little distance it is as dazzling as newly 

 fallen snow. I did not go nearer than a furlong, as when 

 that far off they show to the best advantage in such an 

 atmosphere. I cannot recall looking at a birch dur- 

 ing the summer: to-day they are coniparable to the 

 showiest maple on the hillside. Even a towering oak, 

 now wrapped in royal purple, cannot carry off the palm. 

 Standing in the orchard, and wholly lost to every sense 

 save that of sight, these splendid birches broke forth in 

 song. This is one of the charming experiences of a 

 country ramble. These trees were full of birds, yet not 

 one was to be seen. I saw the tree and heard the music, 

 and to it belonged the merit of both the melody and 

 brilliancy. He that asketh for more deserveth noth- 

 ing. 



It is true, indeed, that the days are now in their yel- 

 low leaf ; the flower and fruit are gone ; but they pass 

 away in such a cloud of glory that it profits us to enjoy 

 them. The worm and the canker, too, are vastlj^ enter- 

 taining, even if devoid of beauty ; and nowhere, that I 

 can discover, does grief find place ; at least in a typical 

 October morning. 



White-throated sparrows were abundant again, to-day. 

 They are sure to come in October, sometimes a little 

 earlier, and remain until spring is well advanced. Of 

 all our winter birds, they are least affected by weather. 



