EN ROUTE 



great confidence results from the fact that the 

 catbird or some other grove representative has 

 vouched for our respectability. I cannot help 

 thinking that this is the case, for migrating birds, 

 when halting in the grove, seem to share the con- 

 fidence of season or permanent dwellers, although 

 at a few feet from the enclosure they may mani- 

 fest much timidity. 



Let us make an observation halt under this old 

 apple-tree. Not that it promises immediate reve- 

 lations, but bark and leaf inspectors are certain 

 to come this way shortly. In out-door researches 

 one often gains more by simply standing still than 

 by covering much ground in active investigation. 

 " One cannot run and read the book of nature." 



We have not had long to wait, you see, for 

 there is an arrival already. Nothing very dis- 

 tinctive or distinguished about the appearance of 

 the little brown bird, but perhaps he is travelling 

 incognito. So many feathered tourists don dis- 

 guising costumes at this season. 



Now he halts as if for a leisurely survey of the 

 bark territory that he is facing, and now he low- 

 ers his wings ; and in this action we have the clue 

 to his identity and the reward of patient watch- 

 ing. For the drooping wings bring to view a yel- 



[53] 



