MY WOODLAND INTIMATES 



striking costume he wears; dazzling blacks and 

 whites and reds. These brilliant creatures are be- 

 coming quite numerous in the neighborhood of 

 the grove. 



Now for a look at the bird-baths. This 

 stream was well patronized a month ago, but vis- 

 itors are comparatively rare now ; nevertheless w r e 

 may surprise a stray bather or two. I occasion- 

 ally see small companies of thrushes, robins, and 

 grackles taking hasty plunges, but there is no 

 such luxurious lingering as at the time of over- 

 whelming heat. 



A few days ago, during a season of August en- 

 croachment. I came upon a water-thrush here. 

 The dainty little sprite was busily hunting along 

 that decayed log, now and then darting above it 

 in pursuit of winged insects; but when his hun- 

 ger was appeased, thoughts of toilet-making en- 

 tered his mind and he flew to the bath. For a 

 moment the dipping tail and speckled breast were 

 buried in the water, while a delicate spray was 

 tossed over the olive-green back. Then my dainty 

 little visitor emerged and disappeared in a leafy 

 dressing-room. During migrating periods mem- 

 bers of his family occasionally halt in the grove 

 for refreshments. I saw two of the graceful lit- 



[38] 



