Midsummer 



ers than in that of birds. During the 

 past week I have watched the comings 

 and goings of a scarlet tanager, which 

 had built his nest in the fork of a pine- 

 tree within easy view of my window, and 

 have had ample opportunity to contrast 

 the tropical brilliancy of his plumage 

 with the dull greenish dress of his 

 mate, a contrast greater than any I 

 have noticed among similarly related 

 flowers. 



Almost as refreshing as the masses of 

 meadow-rue are the thickets composed of 

 the deep green leaves and white, spread- 

 ing flowers of the elder. Another beau- 

 tiful shrub, which is now blossoming in 

 marshy places, especially near the coast, 

 is the fragrant white swamp honeysuckle. 

 Only among the sandhills of the coast 

 itself do we meet with the purplish blos- 

 soms of the beach-pea. Nearly akin to 

 it is the blue vetch, whose long, dense, 

 one-sided clusters of small pea-like flow- 

 82 



