BIRD LEGEND AND LIFE 



On the way they fell in with others of their kind, journeying 

 in the same direction and drawn by the same yearnings. 

 These new acquaintances, though, were but for a day or two, 

 for each returned to the home of his childhood, there to re- 

 peat the experiences of the kingfishers of other years. 



In our drives during the coming season, if we should 

 catch a glimpse of one of these earnest, silent watchers 

 perched on a branch overhanging the water, how many of 

 us will betray our belief in the doctrine of metempsychosis 

 by seeing in the lone creature not a mere bird, but, instead, 

 the faithful spirit of the once beautiful Halcyone, reincar- 

 nated — earnestly gazing out across the water in the vain 

 hope that it may some day bring back to her her lost love, 

 and that companionship which the lone spirit ever craves? 



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