46 
NESTS AND EGGS OE 
but where Nature still reigns in her pristine glory, he is the same 
changeless creature as when first he greeted the vision of man. 
’Tis now the social forces, freed from the frozen bonds of winter, 
rejoice in new vitality. The sexes no longer shun each other as 
before, but mingle in the most friendly manner. The male is the first 
to show symptoms of change. He pursues his predatory ex23loits with 
less of his characteristic zeal, and seeks to attract the attention of the 
gentler sex. With this object in view, he arranges his toilet with scrupu- 
lous nicety, and then goes forth to parade his beauties and grace before a 
bevy of idle, listless females. Ever and anon, he varies his occiqiation, by 
the rendition of a song. But his auditors seem either incapable of appre- 
ciating his efforts to please, or else are too much concerned with other 
matters to pay any real attention thereto. 
Our little hero, not to he baffled, keeps up his courage, and with a 
patience truly praiseworthy, continues his suit, till at last he reaches the 
ear of some simjfle-minded female, when he pours forth, wdth all the 
resistless eloquence of his being, the short hut pleasing narrative of his 
love. 
Should his affection he requited as it deserves, the happy lovers, 
without further ado, hie themselves awny to sunny field or shad}" grove, 
to enjoy a brief honey-moon, preparatory to entering upon the trying and 
responsible duties of wedded life. 
The getting of a wife is not always so easily accomplished. It is 
generally attended with many trials and vicissitudes of fortune. Sometimes 
when success seems ready to crown the efforts of an actor in this part of 
life’s drama, a rival comes U 2 ') 0 n the scene, and claims the attention of the 
wooed. The most ridiculous antics now ensue, and continue for hours 
together. The female becomes the most whimsical of creatures, lavishing 
her caresses first uj^on one, and then uj^on the other of her suitors. The 
jealousy of the contesting males now knows no bounds, and only vents 
itself in long and fierce encounters. The female, at last, comes to the 
