Alabama, ipi8. 17 



SPRING 



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SPRING was stirring at the heart of the world, sending new 

 currents of sap into the veins of the trees, new aspirations into 

 dead roots and fibres, fresh hopes of bloom into every sleeping rose. 

 Life incarnate knocked at the wintry tomb; eager, unseen hands 

 were rolling away the stone. The tide of the year was rising, soon 

 to break into the wonder of green boughs and violets, shimmering 

 wings and singing winds. — A Spinner in the Sun. 



m 



KINGBIRD 



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"Bold watchman, you're a noble bird. 

 For when your war-like heart is stirred 

 You'll chase the eagle in his flight 

 'Till he has reached the mountain height." 



THE kingbird, or bee-martin, is about eight and a half inches 

 long. It is grayish slate-color, becoming darker on the head 

 and pure white washed with grayish on the breast, the tail being 

 black tipped with white ; through the middle of the crown runs a 

 streak of bright orange-red. They are noisy birds, always quarrel- 

 ing about something. These birds are extremely fond of insects, 

 and watch for them from favorite peixhes. The note is a series of 

 shrill, harsh sounds like "thsee," "thsee." They make their nests 

 of sticks, rootlets, grass, strings, etc., and place it in orchard trees 

 or open woods at any height. Four or five creamy white eggs, 

 specked and spotted with reddish brown, are laid. 



