File:A year with the birds (1917) (14746809491).jpg

Identifier: cu31924022541563 (find matches)
Title: A year with the birds
Year: 1917 (1910s)
Authors: Ball, Alice Eliza, 1867- Horsfall, R. Bruce (Robert Bruce), 1869-1948
Subjects: Birds Birds
Publisher: New York : Gibbs & Van Vleck
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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Text Appearing Before Image:
en roveThrough woods and on the green; And thou wert still a hope, a love;Still longed for, never seen. Wordsworth 127 The Legend of the First Humming-Bird Once on a time, two Indians sped From a forest at dead of night,When they came on a fiery mound, cone-shaped,— A frightful, awesome sight. Against the sky they saw it glow With a flickering, lurid gleam;Great yawning cracks in its riven side Showed fire in every seam. Smoke floated away from its flaming top, Hid stars and darkened the sky;Great Spirits wigwam it must be, They said with a frightened cry. How angry he must be with our tribe! They thought, and could not sleep;When morning dawned, their fears were soothed, For twas only a mountain steep. Its glow had faded in broad daylight.And they climbed to its summit high; In a hollow lay Fire Spirits home.But it did not terrify. They hastened down to tell the tribe Their wigwams thither to bear.For the flames would light their winter fires, And cold could be conquered there. 128
Text Appearing After Image:
RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD For many a month the Indians dweltAt the foot of the mountain high, And the children were taught to call it friend;They laughed when it brightened the sky. One night when the people were all asleep, The flames had a frolic gay;They leaped and pranced like warriors bold In a war-dance or a fray. They flung great rocks up toward the sky. Then down the slopes they ran ;They would not heed Fire Spirits call As their mad race began. They leaped on trees, devoured the leaves, Destroyed the flowers fair;Drove birds away from their hidden nests. And every beast from its lair. They poured down melted rock, red-hot. In their frantic, furious play;And frightened, the saddened Indians fled When their homes were swept away. At last Great Spirits voice rang out; These wicked deeds must cease!You all must die, that the children of men And the beasts may live in peace. 129 Fire Spirit begged her Master greatTo remember good deeds performed,— How frost and cold she had dri

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