124 THE LOG OF THE SUN 



But if his rival is stronger, handsomer, and 

 victorious, what then? Alas, the song dies in his 

 throat, plumes hang crestfallen, and the discon- 

 solate 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 trage- 

 dies 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 

 succession. Not only this, but when a female bird 

 is killed, her mate is generally able at once some- 

 where, somehow, to find another to take her place. 

 iWhy these unmated males and females remain 

 single until they are needed is something that has 

 never been explained. 



The theme of the courtship of birds is marvel- 

 lously varied and comparatively little understood. 



