form a particularly fine feeding ground, What a world of pleasant thoughts 



It is always very pleasant to come upon quail tracks bring up. I can see the 



a flock of these feeding chattering away very place where a covey spent the night 



in sweet varied tones. Even the sight before. I can hear the clear call or low 



of their tracks call up pleasing pictures talk which keeps the flock together. 



of the merry crowd that had been there Happy for them if the farmer inadver- 



before me tently leaves a pile of corn out during 



The blue- jay's tracks is more con- the winter. Other supplies of food fail- 



spicuous ; it is longer and looks as if the ing, they will come about the barn or 



maker was in right good earnest, which sheds of the farm. One season a flock 



he doubtless was. About a corn-crib or stayed all winter about ours. It was al- 



in fresh gravel is a good ptace for them, ways very pleasant to have them 



Here the jays come for feed and grit around. As a commentary on people 



and spend a good deal of time before in general nearly every one that heard 



they are satisfied. I am always sure of of it said "Why don't you shoot them! 



finding them in an old rail crib that There is no better eating in the world!" 

 stands far from the house close to tim- Chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, and 



ber. woodpeckers cling to trees, so not 



The birds so far considered are all much is seen of their tracks, 

 hoppers, but there are some walkers It is surprising how much of this trav- 



also. At the head of the list stands the eling about is done at night. Morning 



crow. He generally walks with a shows the history of the night before, 



stately step and the tracks would indi- It is curious how many things do take 



cate that he had been in no haste. I am place in a single night. Sometimes cur- 



always sure of finding them about lots ious wavy marks in the snow and a few 



where cattle or hogs are fed or the re- drops of blood or a bunch of feathers is 



mains of some dead animal. In strong too plainly evidence of a tragedy among 



contrast to the large size of the crow the forest folk. But oftener it is the rec- 



is the little track of the shore-lark. He ord of their ordinary actions, the simple 



is a walker also and likes to feed with annals of the fields and woods, 

 hogs. But unlike crows, will spend Warren Higgins. 



much time along roads. 



GOOD CHEER 



(Translated from the German of Karl Ebert.) 



Embodied song, the lark mounts high ; 

 Its rapture wafts it toward the sky. 

 And sends it circling through the air: 

 'The world is fair!" 



The flower awakes when dawn is bright, • 



Upholds it's chalice to the light. 

 And sheds its perfume like a prayer : 

 "The world is fair!" 



Like molten silver, in the stream. 

 Wave after wave reflects the gleam, 

 Bedews the bank and whispers there : 

 "The world is fair !" 



Why dost thou stand apart and scan 



Thy gloomy heart, O brother man? 



Behold the gladness everywhere. 



'"^'hp. world is fair!" . at r^ 



— Alice M. Dowd. 



20 



