The 3IiLsic of the ]Marsh 



Yoii can hear wliat the lark tells the cardinal, the 

 cardinal tells the heron, the heron tells the duck, 

 the duck tells the turtle, the turtle tells the musk- 

 rat, the muskrat tells the bass, the bass tells the 

 Avater puppy, and the water pu])py tells the eel, 

 all alono- yoiu" Avay. The story is musical because 

 it is recitative of freedom, living, and loving. 



Eut of all nature's minstrelsy the palm always 

 must be aAvarded the birds. The fact that the 

 music of the marsh is distinctive to the location. The Bird 

 only makes it dearer to those so in sympathy with Chorus 

 it as to interpret aright. Long before the marsh 

 is ready to receive them its feathered denizens are 

 hovering over it, filling the air with exquisite song 

 while they Avait the laying of the foundation on 

 Avhich to begin the superstructure of their homes. 

 ]Marsh Avrens intersperse their loA'e-making Avith 

 scolding chatter because the rushes grow so slowly. 

 While they Avait, red-Avinged blackbirds, true chil- 

 dren of the marsh, rock on the flags and SAvell their 

 throats Avith notes so licjuid and golden that in all 

 birdland the most exquisite singer can produce Init 

 a faint breath of harmony abov-e their "O-ka-lee!" 

 and "Con-quer-eee!" 



Counting out the pervasive, black-coated croAV, 

 a permanent resident, the killdeer is the first mu- 

 sician to reach the marsh. In early seasons he ar- 

 rives in ^larch ; under any conditions he is sure in 

 April. When flocks of these birds circle against 



.S.57 



