LOVE-MAKING AND HOME-BUILDING 



I must tell you that even the shy flickers have 

 appeared at my table d'hote recently. I cannot 

 say that they partake of my provisions, but at any 

 rate they mingle with the guests and carefully in- 

 spect the sward under our windows. After all, it 

 does not seem as if my practice of regular feeding 

 can be working harm to any form of vegetation 

 in our neighborhood. New birds are constantly 

 appearing, and the staff of tree and shrub inspect- 

 ors increases daily. 



Over in yonder larch-tree the one with the 

 picturesque couvre-pied of scilla I see a pair of 

 robins with housekeeping intentions. Evidently 

 the prerogative of selecting a site belongs to the 

 lady in this case, for Mrs. Redbreast goes in ad- 

 vance, testing twigs and examining branches, 

 while her mate meekly follows in her wake. 



Judging by indications of this kind, I am to 

 have robins for very near neighbors. The birds 

 have not proceeded beyond mere preliminaries, as 

 the leafy covering is still too scant; but it is evi- 

 dent that the maples near my front windows have 

 found favor with one couple at least. 



Do you note that light and shade no longer fol- 

 low each other over the green hillsides? Every- 

 thing lies in shadow now, for soft gray clouds 



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