40 NATURE'S STORY OF THE YEAR 



lank arms of wild clematis, among seedy weeds in 

 the field ; when in full notes he breathes content- 

 ment through the music of spring, adding a rich 

 tone to the chorus ; when he leads his young 

 abroad. 



As I lifted him from the damp leaves, the 

 sharp cry of a bullfinch rang out behind me. It 

 was his mate. 



THE I'ENALTY. 



