This page needs to be proofread.
Robin Rejoice
95

to be asleep; he sat all puffed up on one of the alder branches, but as I came nearer to him I could see that his bright little eye was on me, and at the next step he flew away.

It was now late in the afternoon, and. as we looked toward the west, the last rays of the sun were just tinting the distant hills with a mellow, golden hue; the birds had flown away, leaving the woods silent, so we reluctantly turned our footsteps towards home.


ROBIN ON NEST

Photographed from nature by T. S. Hankinson

Robin Rejoice

BY GARRETT NEWKIRK

Among the first of the spring,
The notes of the Robin ring;
With flute-like voice.
He calls “ Rejoice,
For I am coming to sing!

To any one gloomy or sad,
He says, “ Be glad! be glad!
Look on the bright side,
’Tis aye the right side;
The world is good, not bad.”

At daybreak in June we hear
His melody, strong and clear:
“ Cheer up, be merry,
I’ve found a cherry;
’Tis a glorious time of the year!