'TWIXT COLD AND HEAT. 88 



tention, and is one surely worthy of more systematic 

 observation than has as yet been given it. The many 

 ways in which birds assist each other in nest-building 

 offer, perhaps, the clearest evidence that they have a 

 very intelligent notion of what they are doing, or pro- 

 pose to do. I feel warranted at the outset in making the 

 somewhat startling assertion that the choice of location 

 for a nest is made only after protracted joint examina- 

 tion of suitable sites, and is the choice of both birds. I 

 doubt if it ever happens that one of a pair of birds 

 "gives in " to its mate. Certainly, such a thing as ma- 

 dam giving in to her lord is unknown in the bird-world. 

 My impression is, that the female birds of every species 

 are exacting, obstinate, and tyrannical. I have seen 

 marked instances of this among house-wrens, pee-wees, 

 and even known a cooing turtle-dove to exhibit unmis- 

 takable evidences of a quick temper. These may seem to 

 be trivial matters, and not within the range of the scien- 

 tific study of animal intelligence ; but it is an error to 

 look upon such proofs of individuality in this light; 

 they are among the most convincing evidences of a high 

 degree of intelligence. 



So much for quiet studies during May ; but it is not 

 a month that suggests a minimum of physical exertion, 

 and often the days are too beautiful to make a roof de- 

 sirable. One longs not only to be out, but active, ar.d 

 then to go a-birds'-nesting is the very acme of a natural- 

 ist's enjoyment. Not to gather eggs or even frighten 

 the birds do we go, but simply to see how many can be 

 found nesting, and, better, to find some that had not 

 been found in previous years. This, at least in my 



