114 NATURE'S STORY OF THE YEAR 



ceive even the subtlest inflections in the notes, and 

 trace some of the emotions that called them forth. 



What is it makes this little brown bird excel the 

 world ? Is it a blind, mechanical instinct ? Does 

 the cold face of the moon, the balmy air, or this 

 calm scene inspire him ? Neither ; but, below one 

 of the bushes there is a nest, a home ; and in it 

 reposes a graceful form ; there listens an attentive 

 ear ; there watches a placid but soulful eye ; and 

 there a brave heart fulfils its maternal duties. He 

 knows it all. Rob that nest ; destroy the faithful 

 watcher ; and that song will be as a dead and 

 withered thing. And she, lying there, silent and 

 still, fulfilling the precept of nature, is yet a being 

 of swift wing, and agile limb, strong and active. 



Much of the song of the bird seems to be 

 beyond us, bringing us face to face with Nature, 

 the impassible. Yet, despite the influence of arti- 

 ficial centuries, in which a concealment of actual 

 truth and of natural kindliness have so often 

 triumphed, there are yet chords within us vibrat- 

 ing to this strain. Let her who would barter 

 affection come hither to be taught a wiser scheme. 

 Poor boy, whom the rou might persuade that 



