along the avenues, the call-notes of the chicka- 
dee, the nuthatch and the downy woodpecker 
are of almost daily occurrence. While in the 
outskirts, along New Scotland avenue, the West- 
ern turnpike, beyond the Boulevard, the “ Tun- 
nel path,” which nearly a century ago was the 
roadbed of Albany’s first railway —could be 
heard and seen many others. A day spent in 
Holmes’ woods would possibly disclose fifteen 
or more of the twenty-five non-migrating species 
accredited to this district. 
It is the pacific pace-maker who sees and 
hears. The business or social stride gives little 
opportunity for an appreciative enjoyment of 
nature’s fullness and beauty. 
“ Hark, oh, hark! 
The meadow lark! 
Do you hear 
His happy singing? 
Sweet and clear 
His voice is ringing — 
Sweet and clear 
From the meadows 
Where the shadows 
Disappear.” 
The law governing bird life called instinct is 
nearly if not quite identical with the reasoning 
faculty in man. 
Darwin classifies birds as feathered animals 
and ranks blackbirds, starlings and crows next to 
man in point of intelligence. 
When considering the mental capacity of 
birds, their reasoning power, justly or not, is 
generally marked low; but may not this also be 
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