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 phcebe, 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 
115 
