Songs of the Fields 



But the inclination of their children seems to be 

 to see how close to the road they can live. In- 

 deed, many men owning several hundred acres of 

 land covered with a half dozen valuable building 

 sites, elevations that would insure a dry cellar, san- 

 itary surroundings, all the breeze passing, and the 

 seclusion that is due a family, build their homes 

 solely with an eye to living on the road. If they 

 are fond of surface water in their wells, which 

 breeds typhoid fever, dust, heat, and constant tres- 

 pass of travelers, no one can interfere, and the re- 

 sult is splendid for the birds and for me. 



The farther away from the old orchard the 

 new home is builded the surer am I of finding 

 among the trees shy doves from river thickets, The 

 brown thrashers, warblers, and bright-eyed vireos, H y mn 

 in addition to the catbirds, bluebirds, kingbirds, orchard 

 robins, and screech owls that habitually home there. 

 Also the long grass invites the larks and ground 

 sparrows to join the chorus. And what a song it 

 is! The rough bark of old apple trees is a table 

 spread for larvee seekers, and the masses of bloom 

 a far call to insect hunters, so that from earliest 

 spring these beautiful old orchards are the veri- 

 table choir-loft of the Lord, and from them arises 

 one constant volume of joyful praise and thanks- 

 giving. Even in the night the orioles nestle con- 

 tentedly on their perches, and you can hear them 

 talk about the goodness of God in their sleep. 

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