Travels in a Tree-top 



25 



the birds of the air, principally swallows, 

 which hung over the tree as a trembling 

 cloud. Never were swallows more numer- 

 ous, except when flocked prior to migration. 

 In the tree and bushes were always many 

 birds, yet often they were far from each 

 other. This gave me an excellent idea of 

 what a great oak really is. Birds quite out of 

 sight and hearing of each other were resting 

 on branches from the same trunk. Although 

 the middle of July, there was no lack of 

 song, and second nesting of many familiar 

 birds is, I judge, more common in Maryland 

 than in New Jersey. Of all the birds that 

 came, the little green herons were the most 

 amusing. A pair doubtless had a nest near 

 by, or young that were not yet on the 

 wing. They walked sedately along the level 

 branches, as a man might pace up and down 

 his study, buried in deep thought. I listened 

 carefully for some expression of content, but 

 they made no sound except when they were 

 startled and flew off. I was much surprised 

 to find the beach-birds occasionally darting 

 among the branches, and once a spotted sand- 

 piper rested a moment near me. These birds 

 we associate with water and the open country. 



