The Music of the Marsh 



stigma, ^^'hen the l)loom petals fall the disk 

 grows rapidly into a large head ^\ith tlie apjjear- 

 aiice of having a lid. This pod is full of seed, that 

 the Indians grind for one of their dainties at wed- 

 ding feasts. These halls of gold, hefore they are 

 fully open, resemble small fallen snns; and when 

 we reflect that the sun stands for light and warmth, 

 bj^ A\hich we live, yellow becomes our most pre- 

 cious color. There is not so much sound on the yel- 

 low lilies as on the A\hite or blue, but there is a 

 Avorld of busy musicians all around them. 



A tea party of ])rima donnas would not reveal 

 sweeter tones than the incessant vocalizing of a 

 flock of wild ducks. They make entrancing music. The Orig- 

 At one moment come notes of glad content over '""' Q""'^'^ 

 motherhood, sunshine, and feasting; then an en- 

 dearing call as they gather small ones close to 

 them ; then a warning lest a A^enturesome ba])y 

 stray too far; then a word of satisfaction over a 

 very luscious worm, and too often the high alarm 

 cry when the water riffles with a big turtle or musk- 

 rat coming their way. When a rival interferes 

 with his love-making, a courting drake sends across 

 the marsh a hair-raising scream, quite unlike that 

 of his domesticated cousin. 



The marsli music of wild geese is almost of the 

 same character, differing from the ducks only in 

 tone and one tribal call. The "Honk! Honk!" 

 of the old gander that leads his wedge-shaped flock 



40.5 



