38 THE HUNTER'S ARCADIA. 



interest for the ornithologist, the paramount interest 

 being retained by scientists for the apteryx or dodo, 

 or other equally inelegant representatives of living or 

 defunct species. To me, sand grouse occupy the same 

 relative position towards birds that Kate Greenaway's 

 or Caldecott's children do to the human family. They 

 are, in very truth, regular little Dolly Vardens in 

 perfection of outline, beauty and variety of plumage, 

 and in grace and energy of movement, while their 

 little feather- trowsered legs impart an air of modesty 

 that is most piquant e f Those folks that have crossed 

 the Atlantic have doubtlessly heard "bees" spoken 

 of by our cousins. Now there are several kinds of 

 " bees " in America, such as quilting " bees," logging 

 "bees," and husking "bees." The double-banded 

 sand grouse has a " bee " of its own, which I will 

 designate a courting "bee." About midday, in 

 spring, these little pets will assemble, possibly to 

 the number of a dozen, and dance the most extra- 

 ordinary and intricate figures, in which all take a 

 part. From the back of an ant-hill I have often 

 watched them at this amusement. In it there is none 

 of the poetry of the gliding waltz, but all the energy 

 and go of the Scotch reel as it is performed north 



