Sentence:  Perhaps it is the scant, delicate detail revealing finer lines, which thus turns corners of Tuscany into an imaginary Hellas. Or perhaps the mere sunny austerity of these rocky <WSD>sere</WSD> places, the twitter of birds telling of renewed life, suggesting what, to us, seem the homes of the world's happy youth. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Without moisture; dry.