ANOTHER MAY MORNING. 61 



ing in the sunlight. The rapidity of its flight is greater 

 than that of any other bird. A dart and it is gone ; we 

 scarce can follow it with the eye. Sometimes it will fly 

 in through an open window, hover a moment over the 

 flowers, cut or in pots, which have attracted it, then 

 dart away again into the sunshine. It is so delicate 

 that the least rough handling kills the lovely creature. 



We are so late this year, the honeyed bells of the 

 scarlet rock columbine are not yet open. A few more 

 (Sunny days and they will be out, and then the humming- 

 bird will have a feast. Meanwhile he is not starving, 

 but is busied with the blossoms of the sugar-maples in 

 the grove outside my garden. 



What a sight those maples present just now ! The 

 leaves are only beginning to burst from their brown 

 winter sheathing, but the tassels of pale yellow flowers 

 hang pendent from every spray, dancing in the light 

 warm air ; every breath sets the delicate thready stalks 

 in motion, and the sunbeams brighten the flowers to 

 gold against the blue of the May -day sky. 



Truly the trees are a sight to gladden the eye and to 

 lift up the rejoicing heart from earth to the throne of 

 the glorious God who has given such beauty to His 

 creatures to enjoy. 



' ' Father of earth and heaven, all, all are Thine ! 

 The boundless tribes in ocean, air and plain ; 

 And nothing lives, and moves, and breathes in vain ; 

 Thou art their soul — the impulse is divine ! — 



