278 Birds of Buzzard's Roost 



them gathering- the sugar water. And how delightful the 

 memory of the neighborhood parties at night about the fur- 

 nace of the sugar camp from which the stirring off was be- 

 ing made for the wax pulling that was to follow. It is in 

 sugar making time that we as children go hunting for that 

 delicious bulbous edible, the turkey pea or pepper and salt. 

 Among the plants it is the pretty little harbinger of spring. 

 It is in sugar making time that the tufted titmouse is in full 

 song. It is then, as Mr. Basket tells us, that his song "is that 

 sugary sap-rising call to Teter-peter-peter' to get out his 

 spiles and water troughs." It is then that their clear, loud 

 whistle of "peto-peto-peto" may be heard at Buzzard's Roost 

 for we have many of them there. It is then, 



"When summer's birds are bringing 



Their clear concerted singing, 

 Singing gladder, gladder, gladder in their glees; 



When finches and the thrushes 



Make vocal all the bushes, 

 And the lark his note of morning welcome frees 



I hear no meter sweeter 



Than 'Peter Peter Peter,' 

 That the Peter-bird is singing in the trees." 



These delightful birds are very inquisitive and sociable. 

 They rather enjoy the company of man. At Somerleaze an 

 elm tree stands so close to the house that the limbs almost 

 overhang the back porch. Here I have frequently sat in the 

 afternoon and whistled to the titmice to come. They would be 

 over in our orchard, and hearing my whistle, would come in 

 answer to it, getting as near to me as the closest limbs would 

 permit, and look inquiringly at me, as much as to say, "Here 

 we are, what do you want with us?" And then I wished that 

 I could tell them that I wanted their companionship. I some- 

 times feel that it is a hardship that all animal life cannot com- 

 municate with each other. Would there not be less wrong 

 inflicted then? Would a man kill a bird if it could say, "Sir, 

 will you not spare my life? Have I done you any wrong? 

 Have I not been your friend?" 



