APRIL. 101 



reaches of sparkling waters; for the spring-tide freshet 

 covers all the lowlands, and we have no meadows now, hut 

 the ragged remnant of a short-lived lake instead. 



It is needless to attempt a description of the lone 

 thrush's song ; suffice it to say he sang, and the scattered 

 leaves that the winter long have clung to their parent 

 stems, and the trembling twigs of every tree and shrub 

 seemed conscious of his presence and thrilled by his in- 

 spiring voice. 



