JOURNAI, AND PROCEEDINGS. 147 
conifers, averring that the dusky thieves live on the callow young 
that they plunderously remove from adjoining nests of Robins and 
_ Thrushes to feed their own omnivorous crow-like young ones. 
_A similar affection for the scenes and surroundings of their 
earlier experiences, and comings on or dawning of consciousness, is 
to be observed in the families of the Ruffed Grouse, who are seen to 
stay in the same wooded valley or limited park-like area for at least 
the first season of their existence, unless driven away by malevolent 
enemies. And the notorious fact of these Grouse using the same 
“drumming log” or prostrate tree at breeding time for successive 
generations, is so familiar to foresters as to render comment super- 
fluous. The catamounts, foxes, racoons and porcupines were well 
known to affect the same sheltering conveniences in caves or big 
hollow trees for winter dwelling places year after year, and a rather 
remarkable rendezvous, where a number of partly upturned large 
cedar trees served to over roof a big knowl in the heart of an exten- 
sive cedar swamp near here (this refers to a date fifty or more years 
ago), was known and referred to by the human forest frequenters as 
the * Wolt’s Ancient Den,” and with every sign of appropriateness. 
April 25, 1904.—We are now experiencing a more genial tem- 
perature. There was some thunder heard here about 11.30 a. m., 
and several showers of rain. 
The syrup making is now about over, as the maple buds are 
enlarging. 
The first Swallows were seen here on Saturday, the 23rd inst., 
and again yesterday. The Robins have been seen at work nest- 
building for several days past. 
The pastures are assuming a greener hue. 
I happened to find a few Hepaticas in full blossom in our woods 
on the 22nd inst., and I believe they had opened the evening 
previous. 
It is hardly probable that any spring seeding will be done in 
April this year, as the ground is wet now and frost not entirely out 
near to fences. 
I am informed that there has been great mortality among bees 
during the past winter. My nearest neighbor had sixteen colonies 
last fall, and he tells me now that he has only six hives with living 
