WILD LIFE OF ORCHARD AND FIELD 



VI 



BIRDS OF PASSAGE 



OTHING is more characteristic 

 of our seasons, and nothing is 

 more interesting in ornithology, 

 than the migratory flights of the 

 birds. We welcome them when 

 they come North in the spring in 

 tuneful companies as the most 

 pleasing feature of a reviving 

 world, this familiar acquaintance 

 and that saluting us with well- 

 remembered greetings. Many 

 speedily disappear, to be sure, 

 but most of them remain, to 

 gladden our hearts and senses 

 while we watch them cunningly 

 contrive their homes and loving- 

 ly rear their young in our gar- 

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