WOOD THRUSH. 373 



spair, whatever may be his situation, as he can never be certain that aid 

 and deUverance are not at hand. 



The Wood Thrush seldom commits a mistake after such a storm as 

 I have attempted to describe ; for no sooner are its sweet notes heard 

 than the heavens gradually clear, the bright refracted light rises in glad- 

 dening rays from beneath the distant horizon, the effulgent beams in- 

 crease in their intensity, and the great orb of day at length bursts on the 

 sight. The grey vapour that floats along the ground is quickly dissi- 

 pated, tlie world smiles at the happy change, and the woods are soon 

 heard to echo the joyous thanks of their many songsters. At that mo- 

 ment, all fears vanish, giving place to an inspiriting hope. The hunter 

 prepares to leave his camp. He listens to the Wood Thrush, while he 

 thinks of the course which he ought to pursue, and as the bird approaches 

 to peep at him, and learn somewhat of his intentions, he raises his mind 

 towards the Supreme Disposer of events. Seldom, indeed, have I heard 

 the song of this Thrush, without feeling all that tranquillity of mind, to 

 which the secluded situation in which it delights is so favourable. The 

 thickest and darkest woods always appear to please it best. The bor- 

 ders of murmuring streamlets, overshadowed by the dense foliage of the 

 lofty trees growing on the gentle decHvities, amidst which the sunbeams 

 seldom penetrate, are its favourite resorts. There it is, kind reader, that 

 the musical powers of this hermit of the woods must be heard, to be fully 

 appreciated and enjoyed. 



The song of the Wood Thrush, although composed of but few notes, is 

 so powerful, distinct, clear, and mellow, that it is impossible for any per- 

 son to hear it without being struck by the effect which it produces on the 

 mind. I do not know to what instrumental sounds I can compare these 

 notes, for I really know none so melodious and harmonica! They gra- 

 dually rise in strength, and then fall in gentle cadences, becoming at 

 length so low as to be scarcely audible ; like the emotions of the lover, 

 who at one moment exults in the hope of possessing the object of his af- 

 fections, and the next pauses in suspense, doubtful of the result of all his 

 efforts to please. 



Several of these birds seem to challenge each other from different por- 

 tions of the forest, particularly towards evening, and at that time nearly 

 all the other songsters being about to retire to rest, the notes of the 

 Wood Thrush are doubly pleasing. One would think that each indivi- 

 dual is anxious to excel his distant rival, and I have frequently thought 



