ANIMAL BEHAVIOR, WITH EXAMPLES 



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An August Hailstorm, with 

 ITS Sequence 



HAT can be more 

 impressive than a 

 sudden storm in the 

 heat of an August 

 day! One after- 

 noon as a storm 

 arose, the south- 

 west wind blew 

 with terrific force 

 through the near- 

 by groves and 

 orchards ; and 

 before long the 

 w i n d storm was 

 followed by rain. 

 Every moment the 

 large drops of 

 water came faster 

 and faster, here 

 and there accom- 

 panied by little 

 frozen messengers from 

 the sky, the first warning of 

 danger that was in store for our 

 field and forest neighbors. The hail, having now taken the 

 place of rain, fell rapidly and the earth was treated to a 

 prolonged roll-call. The icy masses, which were often half 

 the size of hens' eggs, bounded from the ground; with the hail 

 also descended many leaves which had been torn from the 

 branches of the trees. 



Standing under the trees, one could watch the lull, and then 

 the final clearing of the skies. How refreshing these sterile 

 icy masses tasted as they were allowed to dissolve in the mouth 

 and the cold liquid quench one's thirst ! Now that the storm 

 was over, it was time to visit the orchards to note any mishaps 

 that possibly might have occurred to the birds. On entering the 



