2o8 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



day, hop down to the cool water of the swamp, and after taking a sip, 

 bathe in full view, within reach of the hand; then, shaking the water 

 from her plumage, she would return refreshed to her nest. I have seen 

 the male kingbird come to his nesting bough with feathers drenched 

 from his mid-day bath in the river, the orioles flash their brilliant 

 colors all day long before the eye, and chestnut-sided warblers become 

 so tame after several days that the female would allow you to approach 

 and stroke her back with the hand. 



It is difiicult to describe the fascination which this method of study 

 affords the student of animal life. New discoveries, or unexpected 

 sights wait on the minutes, for while there is a well-ordered routine in 

 the actions of many birds, the most charming pictures occur at odd 

 moments, and there is an endless variety of detail. It is like a succes- 

 sion of scenes in a drama, only this is real life, not an imitation, and 

 there is no need of introducing tragedy. 



