Song Birds and Water Fowl 



as passionless as if it were cold moonlight's in- 

 carnation. Its darkened, downward inflected 

 notes spring from the solitude like a purple 

 bending flower from out the earth — an audible 

 inflorescence of the woodland silence. To the 

 general eye its name is, so to speak, not carved 

 in deep and clear-cut granite characters, but is 

 like an antique inscription, richly overgrown 

 and half obliterated by the poetic moss of 

 mystery. 



Of all the birds common to this region, the 

 cuckoo bears, perhaps, the strongest impress 

 of graceful femininity. Doubtless this is due 

 in part to its delicate attire of soft " quaker 

 brown ' ' above and white beneath ; but it is 

 quite as much induced by the dainty gentleness 

 of its ways, both in motion and repose, and by 

 an indefinable reserve that seems quite different 

 from ordinary timidity. Its long and slender 

 drooping form, betokening a pliant nature, 

 emphasized the same impression. Its figure 

 and demeanor are suggestive of the wild 

 pigeon — a feathered symbol of tranquillity and 

 meekness. We at once feel the propriety of 

 saying Sir Robin and Master Oriole, for they 

 both display masculine vigor in all their grace- 

 ful conduct ; and, with the same sense of con- 



