The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-14
BIRDS OF PASSAGE.
Written for the Indianapolis Journal.

Written for the indianapolis Journal.
The robins and red birds have made free with
our honey suclxles and cedars this summer, and
for many weeks have greeted our ears with
glad gush of song; involuntary tribute to
the dawning day, but just as sweet to us as if
they sang wholly for our benefit
Indeed, so delightful is their merry roundelay
just as gay and happy on rainy morning as
on the most cloudless-we feel as if we had
missed something that all the enjoyment of any
day cannot quite supply if our drowsy senses
are still locked in sleep when their choir holds
forth and we fail to be present. Not that we
are as early risers as they, but one who enjoys
their music soon accustoms himself to wake at
their time, and the sleep and dreams after are
more sweet and refreshing for their carols. We
make it part of our daily work to throw them
crumbs the only return make for their
rich treat. They seem to understand that they
are welcome, and in their unselfshness gather
in the sparrows, the thrush and blue jay to
share in our bounty.
For years pair of humming birds have gath
cred sweets from the honey suckle. Some one
says it is an event in ones life to see humming
birds nest so we owe these tiny Titles creatures
a debt OF gratitude for peep into one Of their
little homes Whether the same pair comes
more than one summer, or whether the grand
parents and then the parents of these bewitching
little creatures who are now lowering round the
honey suckle, we have never learned. How
they endure the severity of a winter, and come
out radiant and beautiful as ever the next sum-
mer, Is a perpetual source of wonder to US, with
their little frail bodies that gust of wind might
blow away, or drown in gentle summer shower.
Then we are most constrained to adore that won
derful provision made for every creation of His,
who suffers not sparrow to fall to the ground
without notice. 1t has been very interesting to
us land lesson lies therein to see the attention
the male red-bird pays his little wife as she sits
| patiently, hour after hour, watching the fanclful
| He seems to know that she must have dull
time Sitting, sitting all day long" and he does
not take advantage of her domestic occupation
| to fly into greener, SUMMER fields. All day long
| he hovers near her. pouring out the brightest
strains of melody from his little scarlet throat,
| always prefacing his song with that inimitable
call. He is lover of good eating as well as
| good music, and it is wonderful the number of
worms he manages to make away with; but he
never forgets to share with his mate. Some
| times, from our post of observation, we have
heard him gently twittering to her. He seems
| TO be telling her that her wings need exercise,
and when she rises in glad response, he hops into
the nest to supply her absence as well as he can.
| Whether she took advantage of the relief-guard
and gossiped too long with her feathered neigh
bors, we cannot say, but only one little bird re-
| warded her seclusion.
| We were in high state of excitement the
| next two weeks for fear some little rogue either
biped or quadruped would come upon the little
awkward thing when it was tumbling out of the
nest into the grass, or afterwards, when trying
its wings But we had the satisfaction of see
ing it grow stronger and fly further day after
day, till now it has sailed so far that we see it
no more Goodbye sweet birdl May you live
to cheer and bless some other hearts as you have
ours; but we will gladly welcome you back.
Watching the little half-hedged robins scamp
ering over the walks, led by the parent BIRDS
we moralize
We see ourselves again coaxng the little I'M
steady feet one step and then another, until in
time they can bear the weight that is upon
them, and they grow stronger and stronger
| We watch, and direct, and plan and pray and
| live with the one purpose, that those
feet shall walk straight and fearlessly in the
path of duty and rectitude.
Happy the parent who say, follow in
my footsteps and you will reach the goal" But
the time comes when with great sadness, we see
| that the little ones no longer need want our
| help. Their own wings are stronger even than
ours, and we see our nestlings go out into the
world and leave us behind. And it is hard to
know their songs are sung for others, and our
ears are strained in vain to catch them.
But may they ever be light-hearted enough to
sing, even though it be not in the parent nest
| EMMA M. TAFT.
| ROCKVILLE, Ind, June TO-