THE OVEN-BIRD 
N the hollows of the mountains, 
In the valleys spreading from 
them, 
Stand the rustling broad-leaved forests, 
Trees whose leaves are shed in autumn. 
Underneath them lie the leaf beds, 
Resting one upon another. 
Laid there yearly by the storm winds ; 
Pressed and smoothed by winter snow- 
drifts. 
In the days of spring migrations, 
Days when warbler hosts move northward, 
To the forests, to the leaf beds, ' 
Comes the tiny oven builder. 
Daintily the leaves he tiptoes ; 
Underneath them builds his oven, 
