THE PASSING 57 



interest, even mirth and instruction, for him in the 

 whole of the varied moods of the changing year; 

 and, what is more, he breathes the deeper for a tem- 

 porary freedom from the imperious mandates of 

 the wanton lady of the blossom-face. And there is 

 nought to fear on the score of faithfulness; the 

 flowers will bloom in other years, and "old songs 

 with new gladness" are assured when the wander- 

 ing minstrels return in the fulness of time. 



November in Australia marks the dying days of 

 Spring. The time for ostentation is past, but there 

 is, generally speaking, a clear divergence between 

 the last week of October and the second week of 

 the succeeding month. Now the metaphorical fire 

 of the rising Spring has given place to a literal heat, 

 which approaches at times 100 in the shade. 

 Bursts of rapture from mating birds are rarely 

 heard at this period, and in their stead rises the 

 chant that has caused a cessation of the melody 

 the incessant supplications of baby birds. 



November, indeed, in southern Australian bird- 

 lands at all events, is pre-eminently the period of 

 the youngster. Wisely enough, the builders of 

 warm, domed nests almost always have their off- 

 spring on the wing before the heat-waves begin to 

 dance across the landscape; most of the other sta- 

 tionary, early-nesting species are tending second 

 or third broods, and the majority of the migrants 

 are also busy with the cares of the household. Of 

 course, there are still to be found bird-homes con- 

 taining the promise of life see how resentfully 

 small birds are still chasing Cuckoos! but for one 

 nest with eggs now you find half a dozen either con- 



