Travels in a Tree-top 59 



There is good philosophy in " Small favors 

 thankfully received." Here in this little w^ood 

 are beautiful white-footed mice, a shy, noc- 

 turnal jerboa, flying-squirrels, and, if I mis- 

 take not, a whole family of opossums. Here, 

 until autumn, are wood-robins that never 

 weary us by overmuch singing, and cat-birds, 

 chewinks, and the rose-breasted grosbeak. 1 

 do not complain, but as the summer passes I 

 regret that these birds have their appointed 

 time and will soon be gone. Why so soon ? 

 I often wonder, for their haunts do not lose 

 their loveliness for weeks after they have dis- 

 appeared. 



No wall of green above, about. 



They silently steal away ; 

 With but a carpet of withered leaves, 



The minstrel will not stay. 



But the spot is no " banquet-hall deserted," 

 for all that ; the departure of the summer 

 birds is but to make way for those who have 

 gladdened Canadian woods for many weeks. 

 The purple finch will soon be here, and tree- 

 sparrows in great companies, and the gentle 

 white-throat; and these, with our stately 

 cardinal for a leader, will hold forth melodi- 



