The Hermit Thrushes 
Taken in Mono County Photo by the Author 
LAKE MARY AND MAMMOTH CREST 
SIERRA HERMIT THRUSHES ARE NESTING THROUGHOUT THE TIMBERED SECTION SHOWN 
“LOS COLIBRIS, Feb. 14, 1914:—At one of the clock and 74 degrees 
Fahrenheit the miracle happened—the Flermit Thrush broke his long 
silence and called softly to his Sierran love. Oh, voice of ecstasy and all 
longing! Oh, voice of aspiration and all fulfillment! Never do I hear 
thee but I think first of an angel choir, and only conclude after moments 
of hesitation that it is a voice of earth. Where hast thou suffered? 
and who gave thee victory? and where is that land of utter rest thou 
singst about? Thou art a thing apart, a seeking of the Infinite made 
audible, and I dare not call thee bird. More than half I am afraid of 
thee, as though that gentle mien might veil a soul too pure for mortal 
ken, and as though a glance, meant mildly, might seem all too covetous 
to one of spirit so exalted. It was only a reminiscent snatch, a sotto 
voce trial of that glory song which is to be, but it sounded from a live oak 
and it thrilled to very prickling the cockles of a heart grown chill with 
winter and work. Work! Oh, rather, rest! achievement! victory! 
Oh, crowned hero in a myrtle bower! Oh, lovers, engarlanded with 
arms entwined! Oh, breath of eternal summer blown from Orion's 
peaks! Oh, ecstasy of heaven apportioned to one mortal here! Oh, 
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