86 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 
the embraces of his family, questioning if ever 
again he should behold them. Then as the first 
beams of morning spread over the dusky mass of 
foliage, the musical notes of the wood thrush 
—that joyful herald of the day, broke gratefully 
upon his ear, as if to re-assure his doubting spirit. 
Fervently as he listened did he bless that Being 
who created this companion to console his soli- 
tude, cheer his depression, and sustain his faith 
under all situations. His fears vanished at-the 
inspiring strain of the songster, and were re- 
placed by buoyant hopes. The heavens gradu- 
ally cleared. The gladdening rays of the sun 
rising from the distant horizon dissipated the 
gray mist spread over the face of nature, and in- 
creased in intensity, till the majestic orb shone 
in complete effulgence on the sight, as the clear 
fresh notes of the thrush were heard, echoed by 
all the choristers of the wood. From its habits, 
this thrush might be denominated also a hermit 
of the forest; for solitudes overshadowed by 
lofty trees, or the borders of murmuring stream: 
lets, are its favourite resorts. There, delighted 
with the charms of seclusion, it pours forth its 
mellow song in “full throated ease,” and its. 
music may be heard to perfection. It is scarcely 
possible to listen without that tranquility steal- 
ing over the soul, which the serenity of the 
seene, as well as the melody of the song, in- 
