Songs of the Fields 



But the inclination of their eliihh'en seems to be 

 to see how close to the road they can live. In- 

 deed, many men owning se\'eral hundred aci-es of 

 land covered with a half dozen valuable ])uilding 

 sites, elevations that would insure a dry cellar, san- 

 itary surroiuulings, all the breeze passing, and the 

 seclusion that is due a family, build their Iiomes 

 solely with an eye to living on the road. If they 

 are fond of surface water in their wells, \\'hic]i 

 breeds typhoid fever, dust, heat, and constant tres- 

 pass of travelers, no one can interi'ere, and the re- 

 sult is s^^lendid for the birds and for me. 



The farther awaj' from the old orchard the 

 new home is builded the surer am I of finding 

 among the trees shy doves from river thickets. The 

 brown thrashers, warblers, and bright-eyed vireos, ^7^^ 

 in addition to the catbirds, bluebirds, kingbirds, orchard 

 robins, and screech owls that habitually home there. 

 Also the long grass invites the larks and ground 

 sparrows to join the chorus. And what a song it 

 is! The rough l^ark of old apple trees is a table 

 sjiread for larvas seekers, and the masses of bloom 

 a far call to insect hunters, so that from earliest 

 spring these beautiful old orchards are the veri- 

 table choir-loft of the liOrd, and from them arises 

 one constant volume of joyful praise and thanks- 

 giving. Even in the night the orioles nestle con- 

 tentedly on their perches, and you can hear them 

 talk about the goodness of God in their sleep. 



2.53 



