HERMIT THRUSH. 



Some of the themes are in the minor key and some in 

 the major; some are plaintive, others are joyous, all are 

 melodious; there is no score of the Nightingale which 

 can compare with such records as these; notice particu- 

 larly the fifth one. It must be remembered, however, 

 that bird songs are most ethereal things, a great deal 

 like the wonderful tinting and delicate spiral weaving 

 in Venetian glass; one must see the color or hear 

 the melody in order to fully appreciate its subtile beauty; 

 the song is charming because of its spirituality of tone 

 and its depth of expression; how can the meagre out- 

 lines of music notation convey such truths 1 Who can 

 justly report the Hermit's song 1 there is a silvery sus- 

 tained tone like that of a flute, then a burst of brilliant 

 scintillating music: 



and the song 's complete, 

 With such a wealth of melody sweet 

 As never the organ pipe could blow 

 And never musician think or know! 



One of the most fantastic and perhaps extraordinary 

 themes I ever heard from this Thrush, was obtained late 

 in July, in the White Mountains: 



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