128 The Gala Days of Birds [FIRST WEEK 



been vibrating with whispered rehearsals of trills and 

 songs, and for which the dangers that threaten the acqui- 

 sition of bright colours and long, inconvenient plumes and 

 ornaments have been patiently undergone. Now, if all 

 goes well and his song is clear, if his crest and gorgeous 

 splashes of tints and shades are fresh, and shining with 

 the gloss of health, then the feathered lover may hope, 

 indeed, that the little brown mate may look with favour 

 upon dance, song, or antic and the home is become a 

 reality. In some instances this home is for only one short 

 season, when the two part, probably forever; but in other 

 cases the choice is for life. 



But if his rival is stronger, handsomer, and victorious, 

 what then? Alas, the song dies in his throat, plumes hang 

 crestfallen, and the disconsolate creature must creep about 

 through tangles and brush, watching from a distance the 

 nest-building, the delights of home life which fate has 

 forbidden. But the poor bachelor need not by any means 

 lose hope; for on all sides dangers threaten his happy rival 

 cats, snakes, jays, hawks, owls, and boys. Hundreds 

 of birds must pay for their victory with. their lives, and 

 then the once discarded suitors are quickly summoned by 

 the widows; and these step-fathers, no whit chagrined at 

 playing second fiddle, fill up the ranks, and work for the 

 young birds as if they were their own offspring. 



There is an unsolved mystery about the tragedies and 

 comedies that go on every spring. Usually every female 

 bird has several suitors, of which one is accepted. When 

 the death of this mate occurs, within a day or two another 

 is found; and this may be repeated a dozen times in sue- 



