WILD LIFE OF ORCHARD AND FIELD 



son since they were children under the same bridge 

 of certain holes where a wren's eggs may al- 

 ways be found of elms that never fail to swing 

 the cradle of an oriole? 



This trait is not only a lovely one, but its ex- 

 istence, as a strong influence in bird-character, 

 may throw some light on the vexed problem of 

 how it happens that this wonderful custom of bird- 

 migration originated and has become so fixed. 



II. THE AUTUMNAL FLIGHT SOUTHWARD 



The sole business of a migratory bird's sojourn 

 in the summer-land of his choice seems to be the 

 rearing of a family. This is his errand, and he 

 gets as much fun by the way as he can. As soon 

 as he reaches the right place and he well knows 

 where that is he persuades some admired one to 

 mate with him, and together they build a home 

 and are diligent at domestic duties until the eggs 

 hatch and the young are ready to leave the nest. 

 This accomplished, the thoughts of the birds seem 

 to turn immediately to the South to the warm, 

 fruitful, indolent, inviting latitudes where harsh 

 winds and chilling rains and fading leaves never 

 benumb bright spirits. 



So strong is this longing that many of the older 

 105 



