] [ IN THE OPEN 



more we appreciate the faithful redeye and the 

 wood-pewee. The importunate twittering of young 

 birds with their speckled breasts and half-grown 

 tails is in evidence; they at least do not hesitate 

 to make themselves known. But in September are 

 bright days when there come waves of birds. The 

 returning warblers rove in little bands, and com- 

 panies of young field- and chipping-sparrows flit 

 in and out among the bayberries and alight in the 

 path. 



In their dull, autumn colors the warblers have 

 an unfamiliar look. They come disguised in winter 

 cloaks which, if you do not know their little 

 mannerisms, may be effective enough. With pro- 

 voking celerity they flit in and out the thick 

 foliage, and you dance attendance; now this way 

 and now that, stumbling over pasture stones or 

 plunging into the midst of blackberry and rose 

 thickets, to be detained at last by the persuasive 

 catbrier. Again you go forth to find the game 

 has stolen away and not a warbler is to be seen. 

 Such are the exigencies of bird study in September ; 

 yet in a few days other flocks may arrive. Every 

 faintest clue is valuable to the ornithologist who 

 honestly refrains from the gun. Were it not for 



ill 



