Mbere tbe /lDocftinQ»l)ir& Sings 



the mocking-birds were holding high revel. 

 The haw-bushes and the yaupon-trees 

 that hedged a httle glade were in full 

 greenery, with a flash of white flowers 

 here and there. Under the foliage, by 

 stooping, I could see on one hand the 

 river's sheen, and on the other a flat marsh 

 where some herons were wading with a 

 motion that suggested Japanese art. 



With an old pine log for a sofa, I sat at 

 ease a long while, making mental note 

 of the concert, which, without director, 

 and exempt from rhyme and reason, fairly 

 raged in the circular grove. There were 

 some thrushes and one or two warblers 

 doing what they might to be heard, but 

 the mockers had it all their own way ; and 

 such a din ! It was a cour d' amour held 

 by the migrants lately returned from their 

 winter in the tropic region, and they had 

 many and exciting points of love to settle. 

 One fine fellow came and perched near 

 me on a prickly spray of yaupon, where 

 he danced as if the thorns were too sharp 

 for his feet. With wings slightly akimbo, 

 he skipped and hopped and dealt out the 

 87 



