height of from seven to nine thousand 

 feet or even higher. It differs from 

 nearly all the other sandpiper species in 

 that it breeds not only in the north, but 

 also quite throughout its range. 



Mr. Langille has said of the Spotted 

 Sandpiper: "Its well pronounced notes 

 express the very soul of sweet content 



and cheerfulness. Who could be the 

 victim of care or melancholy, nesting 

 in the quiet haunts enlivened by such 

 sprightly tones ! Scarcely less melodious 

 are thev than the tender utterances of 

 the piping plover. Indeed, but few of 

 the sylvan songsters can render their 

 strains more suggestively pleasing." 



THE SECRET. 



A secret deep I learned today ; 



'Twas shown me in the subtlest way : 



I caught it in the whirr of wing. 



And from each tiny springing thing — 



"The Spring is here and the old earth wakes." 



The patient pines rejoiced to hear, 

 And breathed it to the maples near ; 

 The sleeping willows in their ncK)k 

 Heard the glad tidings from the brook, 

 "The Spring is here ; 'tis time to wake." 



And in a sheltered garden-spot, 

 Where Winter's throes are soon forgot. 

 The timid snowdrop struggles up, 

 And bravely swings its dainty cup — 

 "Why should I fear? The Spring is here." 



The woods are tremulous with wings, 

 A-throb with the pulse of unborn things, 

 And, oh ! the thrill of the songs unsung. 

 And the hidden beauty that lies unsprung, 

 "When Spring is near and the old earth wakes!" 



— Leila Lyon Topping. 



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