IN GREEN ALASKA 



cassiope, and many others. The song-birds that 

 attracted our notice were the golden-crowned spar- 

 row and the httle hermit thrush. The golden-crown 

 has a strangely piercing, plaintive song, very simple, 

 but very appealing. It consists of only three notes, 

 but they come from out the depths of the bird's soul. 

 In them is all the burden of the mystery and the 

 pathos of hfe. 



In the spruce groves to the north opened up by 

 the old grassy road, besides the birds named, one 

 heard the pine grosbeak, the gray-cheeked thrush, 

 and the weird strain of the Oregon robin. This last 

 bird was very shy and hard to get a view of. I recUned 

 for two hours one day upon the deep dry moss under 

 the spruces, waiting for the singer to reveal himself. 

 When seen he looks like our robin in a holiday suit. 

 His song is a long, tapering note or whistle, at times 

 with a pecuUar tolling effect. 



TO THE OREGON ROBIN IN ALASKA 



Varied Thrush! O Robin strange! 

 Behold my mute surprise. 



Thy form and flight I long have known. 

 But not this new disguise. 



1 do not know thy slaty coat. 



Nor vest with darker zone ; 

 I 'm puzzled by thy recluse ways 

 And song in monotone. 

 89 



