84 WILD NATURE IN STRATHEARN. 



resound with the song of the birds, to be able 

 not only to distinguish the birds themselves, but 

 to know the song of each species. This is a 

 hobby anyone can pursue with great pleasure 

 to himself and profit to his health. To the 

 vigilant observer there is much to be found that 

 is instructive and useful. The different call-notes, 

 the cry of anger, fear or jealousy belong 

 to each, for all birds have a language of their 

 own, and are able to communicate with each 

 other. Examples need not be quoted, they 

 abound. While we admire the flowers by 

 the roadway, and enjoy the shade of the 

 trees, worldly thoughts vanish. Our thoughts 

 rise to higher things to Him who out 

 of .nothing called all these wonders into 

 being. The air is full of pleasant odours, 

 and we feel we can never drink in enough of 

 nature's beauties. Thomas a' Kempis said : 

 " If, indeed, thy heart were right, then would 

 every creature be -to thee a mirror of life, and 

 a book of holy doctrine." 



