The Masquerading Chickadee* 



BY EDITH M. THOMAS 



I came to the woods in the dead of the year, 



I saw the wing'd sprite thro' the green-brier peeping 

 "Darling of Winter, you've nothing to fear, 



Though the branches are bare and the cold earth Is 

 sleeping !" 



With a dec, dec, dee ! the sprite seemed to say, 

 "I'm friends with the Maytime as well as December, 

 And I'll meet you here on a fair-weather day ; 

 Here, in the green-brier thicket, — remember!" 



I came to the woods in the spring of the year, 

 And I followed a voice that was most entreating : 



Phebe ! Phche ! (and yet more near), 

 Phebe I Phebe ! it kept repeating 1 



I gave up the search, when, not far away, 



I saw the wing'd sprite thro' the green-brier peeping. 

 With a Phebe ! Phebe .' that seemed to say, 

 " I told you so ! and my promise I'm keeping. " 



'You'll know me again, when you meet me here, 

 Whether you come in December or Maytime : 

 I've a dee, dee, dee.' for the Winter's ear, 



And a Phebe.' Phebe.' for Spring and Playtime!" 



*" March i, 1856.— I hear several times the fine drawn Phe-be note of the Chickadee, whicli I heard 

 only once during the winter." — " Early Spring in Massachusetts." — Thorkac. 



Matins 



BY ROSA MEYERS MUMMA 



As sable night fades into soft rose tint. 

 Through leafy aisles slow filters daylight's glint ; 

 From green tree arch is faintly heard the call 

 Which summons quickly feathered choir all 

 To Nature's vast cathedral, where in song 

 Unite the worshippers, a feathered throng. 

 What harmonies pour forth from each bird throat ! 

 A morning prayer ascends with each clear note. 



(77) 



