A SEARCH FOR A WHIPPOORWILL’S NEST. 195 
songs with little regard for the proprieties, but with no 
lack of melody. From all appearances there were nests 
close at hand, as the birds made a great ado when we 
approached certain localities, but after a fruitless search 
for half an hour we again realized what we supposed we 
already knew, that the nest of a bobolink is a very diffi- 
cult thing to find. Ihave found a few, and a very few, 
in comparison with the number secreted. I often think 
the cunning creatures, in order to mislead, make the 
greatest fuss when you are farthest from the nests; 
besides, the female of this species, which alone does the 
sitting, is almost the color of the grass next the ground. 
There is more danger that you will step on the nest 
than that you will find it. 
In a stump by the fence a blue bird had a nest with 
four eggs. While we were admiring the pale blue gems, 
the male bird pleasantly caroled from a fence stake; 
there was no touch of spite or of annoyance in his soft, 
sweet warble. It was serenity itself. Never weresong 
and vespers sparrows more tuneful. They were making 
up for the loss of the day before. If old Izaak Walton 
had been present, he might well again have exclaimed, 
as he is said to have done while listening to the thrushes: 
“Lord, what music hast Thou prepared for Thy saints 
in heaven, when Thou affordest such wonderful songs to 
Thy creatures on earth!” We were tempted to linger 
long in this attractive meadow, over which melody and 
fragrance were so lavishly scattered, and the sun was 
high in the heavens when we reached the woods. After 
a search of less than half an hour our silent guide drew 
