tions of their range, the Prairie Hens are 

 partly migratory ; at least this is the case 

 with the females and young of the sea- 

 son. The hardier males may remain to 

 brave the cold of a severe winter, seek- 

 ing the shelter of timbered lands. The 

 birds remain in flocks until the "warmth 

 of spring quickens their blood and 

 awakes the passions of love; then, as 



with a view to fairness and the survival 

 of the fittest, they select a smooth open 

 courtship ground (usually called a 

 scratching ground), where the males 

 assemble at the early dawn to vie with 

 each other in courage and pompous dis- 

 play, uttering at the same time the love 

 call, a loud booming noise." which has 

 been likened to the syllables ook-ah-oom- 

 boo-hoo-oo-oo-oo. 



SUMMER. 



All night, at the door of his burrowed cell, 

 The cricket chirps, while the harvest moon 



Swims high over pasture and stony fell, 



Over farmhouse, and forest, and scented lagoon. 



Swims yellow and round, through the lakes of blue, 

 And its light falls white on the dewless stone, 



Where the rabbits hop past ; and they hear the shrew 

 Tunneling under the grasses alone. 



And the pasture tree is a crowded town, 



With households hushed in its dim repose ; 

 While its mateless and childless ones may drown 



Their lonelier cares till the dawning glows. 



There the beetles sleep in the bark of the bole, 

 And the tender bird broods till her nestling stirs, 



When the saw-fly wings from the horn-borers hole, 

 While the squirrel calls, the opossum purrs. 



Then down from the sproutlands, and breezy fells, 

 Where wander all day the gentle-faced sheep, 



Is dropt the pensive tink-inkle of bells, 



As the small feet move on the pastures steep. 



— Eliza Woodworth. 



