WOOD THRUSH. 25 



harbinger of day! — and how fervently, on such occasions, have I blessed the 

 Being who formed the Wood Thrush, and placed it in those solitary forests, 

 as if to console me amidst my privations, to cheer my depressed mind, and 

 to make me feel, as I did, that never ought man to despair, ivhatever may 

 be his situation, as he can never be certain that aid and deliverance are not 

 at hand. 



The Wood Thrush seldom commits a mistake after such a storm as I have 

 attempted to describe; for no sooner are its sweet notes heard than the 

 heavens gradually clear, the bright refracted light rises in gladdening rays 

 from beneath the distant horizon, the effulgent beams increase in their 

 intensity, and the great orb of day at length bursts on the sight. The grey 

 vapour that floats along the ground is quickly dissipated, the world smiles at 

 the happy change, and the woods are soon heard to echo the joyous thanks 

 of their many songsters. At that moment, all fears vanish, giving place to 

 an inspiriting hope. The hunter prepares to leave his camp. He listens to 

 the Wood Thrush, while he thinks of the course which he ought to pursue, 

 and as the bird approaches to peep at him, and learn somewhat of his 

 intentions, he raises his mind towards the Supreme Disposer of events. 

 Seldom, indeed, have I heard the song of this Thrush, without feeling all 

 that tranquillity of mind, to which the secluded situation in which it delights 

 is so favourable. The thickest and darkest woods always appear to please it 

 best. The borders of murmuring streamlets, overshadowed by the dense 

 foliage of the lofty trees growing on the gentle declivities, amidst which the 

 sunbeams seldom penetrate, are its favourite resorts. There it is, kind 

 reader, that the musical powers of this hermit of the woods must be heard, 

 to be fully appreciated and enjoyed. 



The song of the Wood Thrush, although composed of but few notes, is 

 so powerful, distinct, clear, and mellow, that it is impossible for any person 

 to hear it without being struck by the effect which it produces on the mind. 

 I do not know to what instrumental sounds I can compare these notes, for I 

 really know none so melodious and harmonical. They gradually rise in 

 strength, and then fall in gentle cadences, becoming at length so low as to be 

 scarcely audible; like the emotions of the lover, who at one moment exults 

 in the hope of possessing the object of his affections, and the next pauses in 

 suspense, doubtful of the result of all his efforts to please. 



Several of these birds seem to challenge each other from different portions 

 of the forest, particularly towards evening, and at that time nearly all the 

 other songsters being about to retire to rest, the notes of the Wood Thrush 

 are doubly pleasing. One would think that each individual is anxious to 

 excel his distant rival, and I have frequently thought that on such occasions 

 their music is more than ordinarily effective, as it then exhibits a degree of 



