April 



stationed like a black-capped sentinel on the 

 point of a branch overhanging the water. 

 For a week after its arrival it sat silent, soli- 

 tary, and evidently dejected ; but this morning 

 it is all animation, and cheerily calling its 

 own name or that of its mate as it flies hither 

 and thither. A case of human nature in bird- 

 form. When the migration-time comes it is 

 usual in this as in most of the other species 

 for the male to arrive first, his gentle consort, 

 proverbially tardy, putting in her appearance 

 several days later. It is hard to imagine why 

 they cannot agree to take the journey together, 

 as the matrimonial compact does not expire 

 by limitation with the phoebe, as it does with 

 many others, to be renewed annually. That 

 it is not the result of a ''tiff" just before 

 starting seems proved by the delight expressed 

 at the reunion. We seem forced to the con- 

 clusion that this conduct results from one of 

 the inscrutable eccentricities of the feminine 

 intellect. And it is not a little singular that 

 a trait in one of the sexes of constitutional un- 

 preparedness to start on time should be so prev- 

 alent throughout the animal kingdom. 



That the volume of life is steadily increasing, 

 not only in numbers but in variety, is evidenced 



"5 



