The Birds and Poets 197 



picture as one ever sees. They are very erratic 

 little wanderers coming upon us of times unexpect- 

 edly and unannounced from the coniferous forests 

 of the north. They seem to have no regard for the 

 laws of migration, and aimlessly wander about in 

 small groups, pausing only at those places which 

 afford them favorable opportunities for feeding. 

 They climb about in trees like parrots, and their 

 crossed bills are well adapted to aid them in open- 

 ing the scaled cones of coniferous ttees to obtain 

 the seeds within. 



The well known legend of this little bird, which 

 relates how it tried to pull the nails out of the Cross 

 with its bill, is told in a translation by Longfellow 

 from the German of Julius Mosen : 



"On the cross the dying Saviour 



Heavenward lifts His eyelids calm, 

 Feels, but scarcely feels, a trembling 

 In His pierced and bleeding palm. 



And by all the world forsaken. 



Sees He how with zealous care 



At the ruthless nail of iron 



A little bird is striving there. 



Stained with blood and never tiring. 

 With its beak it doth not cease. 



From the cross 'twould free the Saviour, 

 Its Creator's Son release. 



And the Saviour speaks in mildness; 

 'Blessed be thou of all the good! 



