FAR AND NEAR 



" In the roots of a tree in the woods," said Charley. 



" Not the nest of the ' tip-up,' or sandpiper," said 

 I. " It builds on the ground in the open country near 

 streams." 



" Anyhow, it tipped," replied the boy. 



He directed me to the spot, and I found, as I ex- 

 pected to find, the nest of the water-thrush. When 

 the Vassar girls came again, I conducted them to the 

 spot, and they took turns in walking a small tree 

 trunk above the water, and gazing upon a nest brim- 

 ming with the downy backs of young birds. 



When I am Ustening to the water-thrushes, I 

 am also noting with both eye and ear the warblers 

 and vireos. There comes a week in May when the 

 speckled Canada warblers are in the ascendant. 

 They feed in the low bushes near the water's edge, 

 and are very brisk and animated in voice and move- 

 ment. The eye easily notes their slate-blue backs 

 and yellow breasts with their broad band of black 

 spots, and the ear quickly discriminates their not 

 less marked and emphatic song. 



In late summer I go to the Shattega, and to the 

 lake out of which it flows, for white pond-Ulies, and 

 to feast my eye on the masses of purple loosestrife 

 and the more brilliant but more hidden and retired 

 cardinal-flower that bloom upon its banks. One can- 

 not praise the pond-lily; his best words mar it, like 

 the insects that eat its petals: but he can contem- 

 plate it as it opens in the morning sun and distills 

 152 



