AN ARCADIAN CALENDAR 



pollen, but the parasites have no baskets, as they have 

 no need of pollen, for their offspring. The cuckoo-bee, 

 moreover, having found a humble-bee's nest in a hedge- 

 bank, may kill the queen-mother in occupation. Then, 

 with stolen wax, it makes cells, and lays eggs, whose 

 grubs the workers of the colony will feed. 



THE KEEPER'S CARES 



A WET September brings anxious days to the game- 

 keeper, whose heart is with his pheasants. 

 The Bird They are fast losing their sanctuary in the 

 of Next corn, and if, on coming in to the coverts, 

 Month they find them dripping with moisture, the 

 ground sodden, they are likely to seek other 

 quarters. They are always particular about keeping their 

 plumage dry, and when once they go into the open to 

 air their feathers, may take much longer walks than 

 pleases the keeper of a small manor. Wandering on 

 along the hedgerows, springing up after blackberries, or 

 pursuing that arch clod-hopper, daddy-longlegs, they 

 pass unawares over the boundary, where another game- 

 keeper may be eager to make them welcome. 



As September passes, the pheasant broods begin to 

 break up, and the young birds cut their 

 Winning apron-strings, deserting their mothers. The 

 Their young cocks' feathers begin to shine; they 



Spurs feel themselves fine fellows, and challenge 



one another to duels. The plaintive " Peep- 

 peep " note of infancy changes to a croaking " Cock- 

 up," as different from the veteran cocks' ringing crows 

 as the treble caw of a nestling rook from the parents' 

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