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, what- 
ever may be his situation, as he can never be certain that aid and deliver- 
ance 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 
