Midsummer Memoranda 



be about as difficult for him as for a young- 

 ster on stilts. But with many other 

 aquatic and semi-aquatic birds, all of whom 

 walk, the reason for it is not one whit 

 more plain than with the land-birds who 

 do so, like the Quail, Blackbird, Golden- 

 crowned Thrush and Meadow Lark. 



My general observations as summer 

 advances toward a close, incline me to 

 the opinion that birds get more real fun 

 out of life well on in August than at any 

 other time of the year. 



Having finally disposed of the thousand 

 and one cares of rearing a brood and train- 

 ing it to fly, they seem to relegate the 

 matter of music largely to the locusts, 

 that they may give themselves to pure 

 frolic with absolute abandon. 



It is evidently their true vacation time, 

 just as with most men and women; and 

 with one accord they all appear disposed 

 to use every minute of it to the very best 

 advantage. 



And how perfectly fitted for play they 

 are, indeed! I have watched squirrels 



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