54 TROPIC DAYS 



seen — came from the jungle close at hand. Not one of 

 these birds was visible, nor was the fluty-voiced shrike 

 thrush, which answers every strange call and mimics 

 crude attempts to reproduce its varied notes. The blue 

 kingfisher is investigating the tumour made by white 

 ants in the bloodwood wherein the nest is annually 

 excavated, and soon the chattering notes of the pair will 

 be heard. A week ago few signs of the approach of the 

 scene-shifter were discernible. He has come, and 

 plants and birds respond to his genial and becoming 

 presence — plants with richer growth and more abundant 

 flowers, birds with the unreflecting gaiety of nuptial 

 days. 



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