The Music of the Marsh 



almost impossible to distinguish them, and in solo, 

 duet, and full chorus set up a ne\er-ending ])eti- 

 tion for more rain. Bullfrogs drum until one 

 ^vonders what would he tlie size of their bodies 

 wevt they izi proportion witli their vocal powers. 



But it is only for a fe^^' days that the frogs 

 are allowed to monopohze tlie music, for when tlie 

 green hyla pipes and the bullfrog drums, the en- 

 tire aquatic orchestra and the full chorus make 

 liaste to join them. Nowhere else in natiu'c do 

 scales, fur, feathers, and gauzy-winged things 

 meet in such commonalty. Here black bass, musk- 

 rat, and ])lue heron seek their food in the same 

 water. 



jNIarsh music is unceasing, and it is all so good. 

 As you guide your boat between the rushes and 

 glide softly over the lily pads, sweet as ^l^]olian Marsh 

 harps is the music of the wind sobbing among the '^"^'^ 

 branches, the rushes rustling with each passing- 

 breeze, the grasses whispering together, and the 

 softly lapping water. You hear crickets singing 

 as cheerily as beneath the hearthstone; grassho])- 

 pers voicing constant praise of the sweet marsh 

 growth; honey-ladened wild bees droning over the 

 pollen, and swaying snakefeeders singing on the 

 rushes. 



O, how the snakefeeders swing and sing, and 

 lio\v beautiful they are! There are many mem- 

 bers in the family, all of bright color ; a trim head, 



347 



