Birds of Lewiston-Auburn 21 



man, the song represents the word vee-ry repeated several 

 times around a series of intertwining circles. 



Van Dyke was evidently a great admirer of the veery 

 for in 1895 he wrote the following poem: 



The moonbeams over Arno's vale in silver flood were pouring, 

 When first I heard the nightingale a long-lost love deploring: 

 So passionate, so full of pain, it sounded strange and eerie, 

 I longed to hear a simpler strain, the wood-notes of the veery. 



The laverock sings a bonny lay, above the Scottish heather, 

 It sprinkles from the dome of day like light and love together ; 

 He drops the golden notes to greet his brooding mate, his dearie ; 

 I only know one song more sweet, the vespers of the veery. 



In English gardens green and bright, and rich in fruity treasure, 

 I've heard the blackbird with delight repeat his merry measure; 

 The ballad was a lively one, the tune was loud and cheery, 

 And yet with every setting sun I listened for the veery. 



far away, and far away, the tawny thrush is singing. 



New England woods at close of day with that clear chant are 



ringing ; 

 And when my light of life is low, and heart and flesh are weary, 



1 fain would hear, before I go, the wood-notes of the veery. 



— Henry Van Dyke. 



When I read this poem I feel that Van Dyke could 

 never have known the song of the hermit thrush as we 

 hear it in its nesting places. 



6. (755) WOOD THRUSH 



Extremely rare ; apparently only an accidental visitor. 

 I have never seen this species but during some spring 

 migrations it has been seen in the country by reliable 

 observers. Its regular place of nesting is south of Maine. 



