THE RETURN OF THE BIRDS. 41 



the swallows and fly-catchers. Flies and insects, to 

 any amount, aro to be had for the catching ; and the 

 opportunity is well improved. See that sombre, 

 ashen-colored pewee on yonder branch. A true 

 Bportsman he, who never takes his game at rest, but 

 always on the wing. You vagrant fly, you purblind 

 moth, beware how you come within his range ! Ob- 

 serve his attitude, the curious movement of his head, 

 his " eye in a fine frenzy rolling, glancing from heaven 

 to earth, from earth to heaven." 



His sight is microscopic and his aim sure. Quick 

 as thought he has seized his victim and is back to his 

 perch. There is no strife, no pursuit, — one fell 

 Bwoop and the matter is ended. That little sparrow, 

 as you will observe, is less skilled. It is the Socialis, 

 and he finds his subsistence properly in various seeds 

 and the larvae of insects, though he occasionally has 

 higher aspirations, and seeks to emulate the pewee, 

 commencing and ending his career as a fly-catcher by 

 an awkward chase after a beetle or " miller." He is 

 hunting around in the grass now, I suspect, with the 

 desire to indulge this favorite whim. There ! — the 

 opportunity is afforded him. Away goes a little 

 cream-colored meadow-moth in the most tortuous 

 course he is capable of, and away goes Socialis in 

 pursuit. The contest is quite comical, though I dare 

 Bay it is serious enough to the moth. The chase con- 

 tinues for a few yards, when there is a sudden rushing 

 *o cover in the grass, — then a taking to wing again, 

 when the search has become too close, and the moth 



