The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-01

the grand ballroom 1t is probable that
the sale of tickets will be closed far in
advance.
The prelude song. 1.-THE Hermit
Thrush" which Is to be sung by Miss
Margaret Wilson. represents little girl
as wandering in the quiet of the bird
sanctuary. Hearing the voice of a
hermit thrush she med,ates this song,
which was written by Arvia MacKaye.
daughter of Percy Mackayc. when she
vas but years old:
While walking through a lonely wood
! heard lovely voice;
voice so fresh and true and good
II made my heart rejoice.
1t sounded like a Sunday bell
Rung softly in the town,
Or like a stream that in n dell
Forever trickles down.
II seemed to be voice Of love
That always had loved me.
SO softly II rang out above.
So wild and wanderiugly
% Voice were YOU golden dove
Or just plain gray bird?
Voice. you are my wandering love,
Lost. yet forever heard.
The play brings out phases of the
bird conservation movement. The scene
the guardian OF which is Quercus.
faun. who is presently discovered rising
from the ground and carrying in huge
pitcher plant water obtained from some
subterranean spring. From his pitcher
plant he replenisheS bird bath and
from his pouch scatters seed in a food
house. singing meanwhile in quaint fall
setto a lyric OF the birds.
His work finished, he takes out
pipe and blows few notes, but Is soon
interrupted by the sound OF approach
ing footsteps. Snatchlng his staff Of
office. n miniature martin house on its
pole. he halts the intruder, but pres
entity admits him. since he proves to be
his old master. Alwyn, the poet. Being
questioned by Alwyn Quercus explains
that owing to the new tangled ideas IN
vogue. the old S!cilian faun who used
TO spend his time piping ditties to lily
crowned nymphs Is now caretaker Of a
modern bird sanctuary. working under
:he direction Of his new master, Shy.
the naturalist.
Shy presently joins the group and
after questioning Quercus concerning
his many duties sends him off with new
orders and addresses himself to his
friend Alwyn, the poet. They discuss
the relationship Of poet and naturalist
and their common interest in nature,
and Alwyn suggests that through the
mediation Of Tacita. the spirit of scren-
ity, It might be possible for them and all
men TO get closer to tho heart of nature
and they might even be able to compre-
bend the speech of birds,
Shy answers that he could almost he-
lieve II possible IL 1t were not for Stark,
the plume hunter, who scorns the shrine
OF Tacita and slaughtcrs birds for gain,
thus marring the quletude necessary to
the consummat!On OF their common
hope. Alwyn, expressing the belief that
TRcita In her serenity Is mlghter than
Stark summons her and she appears
She promises To invoke Ornis, the spirit
of all the birds.
She treads dance Of invocation, an
pealing to the unseen spirit OF wings,
which ~ presently heard fitting and
singing In the boughs above her. In
tho midst of the dance a gunshOt in
terrupts the music, which ceases, and
through the boughs a wounded bird
falls to the ground. Tacita, startled,
fees into her sylvan retreat, and at the
same moment Ornis, a maiden CARRIED
symbolcally as a bird. stag,;ors In from
the woodland, and falls with the cry
of Sanctuary"
Alwyn and Shy rush to her assist
ance, and Quercus brings water from