^^t M^i of tS}^ &Cl\Xi> 



is good at times just to know that you are turning 

 with the earth under the blue of the sky; and just 

 as good again to puzzle over the size of the spots in 

 the breasts of our several thrushes. For I believe 

 you can hear more in the song when you know it is 

 the veery and not the wood thrush singing. Indeed, 

 I am acquainted with persons who had lived neigh- 

 bors to the veery since childhood, and never had 

 heard its song until the bird was pointed out to 

 them. Then they could not help but hear. 



No amount of familiarity will breed contempt for 

 your fields. Is the summer's longest, brightest day 

 long enough and bright enough, to dispel the brood- 

 ing mystery of the briefest of its nights.? And tell 

 me, what of the vastness and terror of the sea will 

 the deep dredges ever bring to the surface, or all 

 the circumnavigating drive to shore.? The nature- 

 lover is a man in a particular mood ; the nature- 

 student is the same man in another mood, as the 

 fading shadows of the morning are the same that 

 lengthen and deepen in the afternoon. There are 

 times when he will go apart into the desert places 

 to pray. Most of the time, however, he will live con- 

 tentedly within sound of the dinner horn, glad of 



70 



