tive disrespect to call 'it merdy "the 

 oak," but which demands the descrip- 

 tive term as well, to signify that it is 

 the dean of all the trees hereabout, and 

 the one first sought by the birds. 



Before the last crocus has burned 

 its brightness away I shall have heard 

 the song of the sparrows, the organ 

 notes of the white-throat, and the field- 

 sparrow with its long-drawn tones of 

 sweet sadness, and the song-sparrow 

 with its happier trills, which it throws 

 upon the air almost before the sun 

 rises, and yet has voice to spare for 

 its evening hymn. 



Celia Thaxter has written charm- 

 ingly of the song-sparrow in some 

 verses which run : — 



" In this sweet, tranquil afternoon of spring, 

 While the low sun declines in the clear west, 



I sit and hear the blithe song-sparrow sing 

 His strain of rapture not to be suppressed; 



Pondering life's problem strange, while death draws 

 near, — 



I listen to his dauntless song of cheer. 



7 



