94 



AMERICAN ORNITHOL OGY 



Spring Migrattiorv. 



Spring. What heart does not re- 

 joice at the sound of the name? 

 What fond recollections it brings to 

 mind of other springs; and of de- 

 lightful rambles o'er fresh green 

 fields and through scented woods. 

 The snowy mantle gradually un- 

 folds itself from Mother earth, and 

 in its place comes a warm coat of 

 green. The barren trees and shrubs 

 commence to send forth their tender 

 buds in anticipation of the coming 

 of the little feathered beauties, for 

 whom they annually furnish dwell- 

 ing places, not, however, without 

 ample compensation in the way of 

 the destruciion of their enemies liie 

 insects. Even now the great semi- 

 annual bird wave has started on its 



welcome invasion. Slowly rolling 

 northwards with ever increasing 

 force, it envelops the whole coun- 

 try and transforms the lonely fields, 

 and silent woods intO' a veritable 

 paradise teeming with joyous bird 

 life. How we envy those who 

 know the birds, their songs and 

 habits; but patience, we shall know 

 them yet. Armed with a field glass 

 and accompanied by one learned in 

 the craft we sally forth to conquer 

 new fields. Under his skillful guid- 

 ance the mysteries begin to vanish, 

 and we soon learn to distinguish be- 

 tween sparrows and warblers, and 

 to know some of the common birds 

 by their songs. 



Mary G. Townsend. 



How Sa.baLttis Gct His Christina's Dinner. 



Dr. Geo. McAleer. 



"The daughter of Natanis will 

 have fresh meat for Christmas 

 and be merry. Sabattis' bow 

 is strong and his arrow true. 

 Sabattis will go." 



The great logs in the crude 

 stone fire-place burned fiercely, and the 

 crackling flames gave warmth and added 

 cheer and comfort to the little log cabin. 

 Jerked moose meat of the last killing in 

 the deep snows of winter time hung suspended from the rafters, bear skins 

 and other peltry adorned the walls, and beds of elastic, fragrant spruce 

 boughs built a few feet above the floor, upon light, spring poles of hack- 

 matack, in the corners of the cabin opposite the fire-place, together with 

 some cooking utensils, and rude articles of furniture, completed the fur- 

 nishing and adornment of the cabin home of Sabattis and the daughter of 

 Natanis, the chief of the tribe, now his squaw of a few years. 



