does the slow and clumsy Gila Monster, many months without injury to the ani- 



They are not able to ascend high and mal. 



straight trees, which, however, are not In captivity the Gila Monster begins to 

 found in these regions, but they are able slough about January and continues this 

 to climb bushes and low trees, having process during several months. The 

 somewhat leaning trunks and rough bark, epidermis comes off not like a snake's, in 

 And it is wonderful to see how cleverly it a whole piece, but in several, or more fre- 

 disposes of the sharp claws and the mus- quently in many, fragments, 

 cular, half-prehensile tail, both in drag- There is still a wide field open for ac- 

 ging itself up and in retarding an often curate observation and definite knowl- 

 ioo rapid descent. edge that we relinquish to the profes- 

 The inquiry may be made : How is it sional naturalist and to those fortunate 

 possible that a Heloderma lives on eggs ones who can study the animal in free- 

 alone when it can find them only during dom. 



the relatively short time of five or six Amelia Walson. 



months? First, it may be remembered [Editor's Note: The Gila Monster of 



that this period corresponds nearly to the the illustration is still living and has for 



active life of the animal before and after some years been the interesting pet of one 



estivation. The second and more im- whose love of nature in all forms has 



portant reason is its remarkable frugality, found beauty in the reptile usually 



The digestive organs are so constructed shunned alike by the savage and by civil- 



that they adapt themselves to a fast of ized man.] 



BIRD NOTES. 



I. 



Bit of sunshine taken wings, 



Or a spray of golden-rod ? 



On thistle top he sways and swings, 



Or flung high to the sun, he sings 



Perdita Perdita Perdita 



'Dita, Sweet, Sweet . 



II. 



Good morning trolled, then all the day, 

 From thicket hidden bramble bush, 

 This recluse croons his roundelay. 

 But startle him, a flash of gray, 

 And, Hush Hush Hush Hush- 

 Go 'way, Go 'way . 



III. 



Wild cherry bough and hanging nest, 

 And calls amid the apple bloom, 

 No need to tell whose flaming breast 

 And fluting note lead all the rest, 

 Glory Glory Glory Glory- 

 Glory, Come-O, Come-O . 



Mary Hefferan, 



85 



