CHAPTER IX 

 IDLE DAYS 



"DEFORE the snow, which has given rise to so 

 U long a digression, had quite ceased falling the 

 blue sky was smiling again, and I set forth on my 

 muddy walk home. Under the brilliant sun the 

 white mantle very soon began to exhibit broad 

 black lines and rents, and in a brief space of time 

 the earth had recovered its wonted appearance 

 the cheerful greenish-bluish-gray, which is Na- 

 ture 's livery at all times in this part of Patagonia ; 

 while from the dripping thorn bushes the birds 

 resumed their singing. 



If the birds of this region do not excel those of 

 other lands in sweetness, compass, and variety 

 (and I am not sure that they do not) for constancy 

 in singing they indubitably carry the palm. In 

 spring and early summer their notes are inces- 

 sant ; and the choir is then led by that incompara- 

 ble melodist, the white-banded mocking-bird, a 

 summer visitor. Even in the coldest months of 

 winter, June and July, when the sun shines, the 

 hoarse crooning of the spotted Columba, resem- 

 bling that of the wood-pigeon of Europe, and the 

 softer, more sigh-like lamentations of the Zenaida 



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