36 



leader of the feathered orchestra. Over and oyer -he re- 

 peats the notes of the different birds, as if to teach that 

 expression and arrangement is the key to melody. 



At the height of his tuneful revelry his vain dignity 

 is relaxed, and he sits with tail adroop and his head 

 thrown back, the very soul of song. Then, as the heat- 

 ed hdurs approch, he leaves his exposed and lofty bough 

 and seeks the shady seclusion of the thicket to feed and 

 rest during the day. He is insectivorous in his diet; the 

 friend of man and the forest; charming the former, pro- 

 tecting the latter. His hours of usefulness and pleasure 

 are nicely balanced, so that when evening draws nigh a- 

 gain he mounts his favorite branch and continues his de- 

 lightful performanee which only ceases with the setting 

 Bun. 



But the romance of his honeymoon is soon over and 

 he settles down with a royal will to the bitter and sweet 

 of matrimony. 



The building of the nest is a most important care; the 

 chosen site is a matted brush-heap, stump, leafy bush or 

 tree and even on the ground, when early in the season 

 the leaves are scant and unconcealing. Here and there 

 he searches for material with the nicety of the architect s 

 artificer; leaves and small twigs are loosely interlaced 

 an 1 the nest is lined with bark fibers, rootlets, and the 

 softer leaves. The nest once finished the imposing task 

 of raising the brood commences. 



