28 



AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



During the latter part of September and through October, "Meadow- 

 Brook" was beautiful with the splendor of Autumnal dress. The maples 

 were crowned with crimson and golden verdure; the leaves on the 

 blackberry briars showed a marvelous blending of brown, red and green; 

 large clusters of Indian Turnip berries shown among the decaying 

 leaves like beacon lights; the common poison vine had turned a rich 

 scarlet, and the sassafras and spice bushes were multi-colored. One 

 large oak tree especially should be mentioned. The trunk was very 

 straight and tall, and around this a number of poison and wild ivy vines 

 had climbed — in spiral fashion — all the way to the top. At this time 

 the vines showed a most beautiful blending of different shades of red 

 and yellow, while at the top, serving as a crown for this varigated col- 

 umn, were the green leaves of the oak. Viewed from a distance, the 

 effect was truly striking. 



The rapidly approaching winter soon caused the transient birds to 

 wing their way southward; the many varieties of flowers to wither and 

 die; the royal robes of Autumn to drop from the trees. So amid scenes 

 such as this, my observations in ''Meadow-Brook" were completed for 

 the season in question. 



Their song is silenced, yet the echo stays; 



The vision lingers, though the colors fail. 



So summer's dear memories leave their joy always, 



Though deserted their haunts, why need we wail. 



Berton Mercer 



