Show A WILD BIRDS LESSON overheard by a contemplative abeler as the ausk came on I 1 was present at a pretty performance during my last summer s outing in vermont said the contemplative angler to the new york sun I 1 ha pulled out upon groon pond one even ing at sundown to try for some fl h my skiff drifted against the shore an absorbed in the twilight beauties of clr water sheet and its wooded borders let the oars lie idle and ceased to cas my line at fall of darkness came from a tree above my head th clear call of a whippoorwill whip poor will conee aloi by the foliage and darkness this caa was followed by another from the sair quarter a weaker note which half finished again there arose the full clear call that had first sounded and again there came the unfinished whip poo of a bird evidently attempting to sing in imitation it was a whippoorwill whip poor will teaching her young their song carefully locating the sound I 1 at last could discern through the dusk in dim outline the mother whippoorwill whip poor will perched upon a high limb with a young bird upon each side of her again and again the lesson was rehearsed the fled aings gaining in confidence and proficiency at ach new trial I 1 sat listening a half C to this charming rehearsal but at last the seemed to grow weary their notes became reluctant and querulous and after some low chirping conversation in whippoorwill whip poor will language a little rustle and announced that the lesson was concluded and the young ones were pent to bed all was silent for a few minutes then the mother bird hew across an inlet of the pond in pursuit no doubt of insects for her after concert supper |