WINTER SKETCHES. I9I 



really complains. What character is wrapped up 

 in that tiny bit of feathers ! What hardihood and 

 self-reliance! The vireo, that wove her hanging 

 ,cup in the sapling last Summer would soon perish. 

 But — 



" Here is this atom in full breath 

 Hurling defiance at vast death.'' 



And the voice of the crow yonder in the hem- 

 lock ! However coarse and croaking his speech 

 may seem to the listener in the warmer season, it 

 is sent forth now through the Winter air clearly, 

 melodiously even, and gives a temper and health- 

 ful quality to these chilling, snowy woods. " Catv, 

 caw, caw!" he vociferates with as much earnest- 

 ness and enthusiasm as a person who cheers on 

 hearing of some extraordinary bit of good news. 

 He has a correct inflection, too, and clearly under- 

 stands the rules of pronunciation. His exclama- 

 tions and commas are as readily traced, as though 

 his discourse had been set up in plain "long 

 primer." His note usually is only thrice repeated, 

 but at times, when he is particularly communica- 

 tive or excited, he gives tongue and sets the 

 tidings afloat in a half-score of caws, as if he 

 wished to impress on the mind of the listener the 

 importance of his assertions. " Hurrah, Huzza ! 

 Hear all ! " says the woods-crier from the tree tops. 



