Impressions 



still green and how this berry has escaped de- 

 struction? To grow wildly ecstatic over a 

 summer landscape is not evidence of erudition 

 equal to its comprehension. The flood-tide of 

 Nature's activities may well bewilder us, but 

 not so the trifle of a frost-defying bit of sod, 

 with a green leaf, or even a blossom. The 

 wren that discovers this has cause for rejoic- 

 ing, and if the elements are rude and Winter 

 blusters in his surliest mood, that bird is blessed 

 who from its heart can shout, Why heed it? why 

 heed it? 



I have braved many a winter storm that I 

 might hear some bird of the season. Encour- 

 aged by the good-natured bantering of this 

 wren, I have not heeded the discomforts of keen 

 winds or driving snow, but sought those shel- 

 tered nooks where I knew the birds had gath- 

 ered, and never have they turned their backs 

 upon me. When Nature's guest, I am happy. 



"He knows what's what!" remarked my 

 companion. ' ' Does he ? — indeed ! " I exclaimed, 

 with mock astonishment, adding^: "Then he's 

 the greatest curiosity on earth!" 



I have learned to be careful how I pin my 

 109 



