SOME BIRDS THAT COME IN MAY 427 
are supposed to have dull feathers because they will 
be less seen when on the nest, I have seen a gorgeous 
male brooding the eggs in bright daylight, the nest 
being on a low sapling in a rather thickly wooded brush- 
lot. 
‘‘The Rosebreast is very useful as a killer of large beetles 
and insects, and from his prowess with the striped potato- 
beetle has been called locally the ‘Potato Bird’; but it 
is for its song that we love and prize him as one of the 
birds that to miss from the garden, means that one of 
the best features of the season has been lost. 
“Listen to what Audubon said of this song, that great 
_pioneer naturalist, whose pure nature and _ spiritual 
kinship with the birds never forsook him in hours of 
adversity. 
“¢One year, in the month of August, I was trudging 
along the shores of the Mohawk River, when night over- 
took me. Being little acquainted with that part of the 
country, I resolved to camp where I was. The evening 
was calm and beautiful, the sky sparkled with stars, 
which were reflected by the smooth waters, and the 
deep shade of the rocks and trees of the opposite shore 
fell on the bosom of the stream, while gently from afar 
came on the ear the muttering sound of the cataract. 
My little fire was soon lighted under a rock, and, spread- 
ing out my scanty stock of provisions, I reclined on my 
grassy couch. As I looked around on the fading features 
of the beautiful landscape, my heart turned toward my 
distant home, where my friends were doubtless wishing 
me, as I wished them, a happy night and peaceful slum- 
bers. Then were heard the barkings of the watch-dog 
