THE BEECH WOODS 



a foundation for all the Autumn odours 

 that haunt the woods. 



The migrants of the North now stop 

 for a brief visit on the long journey 

 southward. Once more the woods are 

 enlivened with songs heard first in the 

 early Spring. Bluebirds, which had 

 been flocking for weeks about the fields, 

 have already departed, but other flocks 

 remain for a transient call. Each 

 morning new birds are seen, while 

 others have left during the night for 

 their southern homes. The wood- 

 thrush, whose beautiful song cast a 

 charm about the beech knoll all 

 through the Summer, is heard no more. 

 The catbird's sweet medley is also 

 missed from the same thickets which 

 now only are tenanted by the nut- 

 hatches. Of course, the partridge is 

 still about with her mate and their 

 full-grown young. What a wealth of 

 beauty and richness their presence 

 gives to the woods at this season as 

 they scratch among the leaves or sud- 

 denly break the quiet and go booming 

 away to the pine shelters. At one time 

 these groves were the favourite breed- 

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