484 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



plumed species are plainly dressed, while the males are gor- 

 geously decorated ? It may be answered, that the female 

 performs the duties of incubation ; and if she were brilliantly 

 colored, like the male, she would be more easily detected by 

 a bird of prey, while sitting on her nest. The male, on the 

 contrary, while hunting among the foliage of the trees for 

 his insect food, is not so easily distinguished from the blos- 

 soms of the trees. It may also be remarked, that in northern 

 latitudes the duties of incubation are performed during May 

 and June, when the trees are in flower. After the blossoms 

 have faded, several species doff their brilliant ornaments, and 

 assume a plainer garb, like that of the female. When there 

 are no longer any flowers upon the trees, the resemblance of 

 the birds to the flowers that have perished would no longer 

 afford them any protection. 



But nature often employs the same means to serve a two- 

 fold purpose. The beautiful colors of the plumage of birds 

 serve undoubtedly to render the males more conspicuous ob- 

 jects of attraction to the females. Hence, in the early part 

 of the year, just before the time of courtship arrives, nature 

 has provided that the plumage of various kinds of birds 

 should suffer this important change. Thus, the bobolink 

 exchanges his winter garment of yellowish brown for one of 

 a brilliant straw color and black ; and the red-winged black- 

 bird casts off his tawny suit for one of a glossy jet, with 

 epaulettes of a beautiful scarlet. During the same period, the 

 warbler^, after a silence of eight or nine months, become 

 suddenly vocal, and fill the groves with their untiring lays. 

 What is the secret cause of this metamorphosis in the feath- 

 ered race ? What are the useful ends subserved by this mys- 

 terious provision of nature ? It is evident that nature per- 

 forms for them an oflice which the reason of mankind teaches 

 us to do for ourselves. She clothes them with beauty, and 

 endows them with song, at that period when their success as 

 lovers is greatly dependent on the multitude and power of 

 their attractions. Among the beautiful species, their success 

 depends on the splendor of their plumage ; and among the 

 warblers, on the charms of their voice. Beauty and song 



