24 MARSH BIRDS. 



about on the edges of the channels, and toward 

 night betaking itself to a line of trees in the 

 distance, that looked as if full of snowy blos- 

 soms that moved and changed about and at last 

 settled for the night ; to see the bald eagle 

 catch a big fish and call his mate to help him 

 eat it; to watch the lesser tern hover with 

 yellow bill pointed downward and sharp eye 

 fixed on the water, and at length stiffen his 

 wings and dive head first into it, bringing out 

 his prey, and filling the air with cries in a com- 

 plaining, squealing tone that always reminds 

 one of a young pig ; to gaze fascinated at the 

 bewitching flight of the ring-plover, sweeping 

 low over the water in a small flock, now almost 

 invisible as the sombre-colored backs turn 

 toward you, now suddenly flashing bright as 

 silver when the breasts come into sight, moving 

 in perfect unison as if impelled by one will. 

 More, many more birds of the marsh attract 

 and draw one, but inland is the mocking-bird, 

 and after a walk along the shore, always my 

 feet turned to the groves and the fields where 

 the matchless bird lives his life. 



To see, as well as hear a wild mocking-bird 

 sing, is worth a journey, even over the rolling 

 deep. I passed hours in a pleasant grove be- 

 yond the gardens and fields, watching and lis- 

 tening to one bird whose concert hall it was. 



