302 



T?lightest niovdmeut will cause the shyer species to vanish, and will 

 check the free motions of nianj' others. 



Early morn is, Jiowever, the time when the woods ring with the 

 songs of the birds, and are filled with tlie sights and sounds of pi-olific 

 life. As the sun gains in the heavens the inhabitants, except the 

 insects, become quiet, and disai)|)ear largely from the scene, occupied, 

 perhaps, with their family and household cares. Insects are most 

 abundant during the hottest po)-tions.of the day, fur these small crea- 

 tures, with numerous night-flying exceptions, love the light and hca*-, 

 and clouds or showei'S send them at once to seek sheltei-. Toward the 

 close of day bird life becomes once more active for a brief period, and 

 as the shadows deepen the r.octurnal forms of life appear. 



What a constant succession thei-e is throughout the year of changes 

 and vaiieties in the surroundings of our rambles. In the spring comes 

 the budding- forth of leaf and flower and the i-eappearance of the myricxd 

 animated things of earth and air and water. It always seems as if 

 i\ature whs holding a jubilee over the departure of the fiost king, and 

 the withdi'awal of his forces. The songsters, northward wending, fill 

 the thickets with melodious carols as the sun, rising earlier each morn to 

 welcome them, throws his first i-ays across the tree-to])S. Even the cold 

 blood of the reptiles seems to flow more warmly, and their voices p'pe 

 full and clear fj-om every pool and swamp. Plant after jilant at its 

 appointed time blooms out, increasing yet more the lavish decorations, 

 and the bees, toil they never so briskl3^, cannot garner all the honeyed 

 bweets they offer. AVith summer comes the fiuiiage of the fields, when 

 the strawberry and its succulent relatives entice to the meadows many 

 whom the mere beauties of foliage and flower have no power to charm. 

 Then as flower and fruit fail, and the foliage, tossed and torn by the 

 winds and mutilated by insect foes, has lost its freshness of color, the 

 plants make a final effort to regain their beauty; and with what success 

 one need not ask who has witnessed the wealth of coloring which 

 adorns our trees in autumn. What combinations of scarlet, gold and 

 gieen our maples wear; how rich the browns and purples of the oak ; 

 how the sumach flames out on the hillsides, among the yellows of the 

 birches and poplars. The very ground is liidden by such a brilliant, 

 luxurious carpet that walking over it seems the realization of some 



