fields covered with a shrubby growth and 



the bush-fringed borders of swamps and 

 streams. They do not like thick forests 

 of large trees. Their nests are usually 

 placed very near the ground and gener- 

 ally in the most tangled portion of a 

 shrubby patch. In such places the nest 

 is well screened by the adjacent foliage 

 and quite well protected from discovery 

 were it not for those "delirious calls and 

 ludicrous motions of the male." which 

 he usually executes very near his home. 

 The nest is a bulky affair, constructed 

 wkh grasses, many dried leaves, weed 

 stems and strips of fibrous bark. These 

 with other materials are well woven to- 

 gether in the building of the walls. The 

 nest is lined with finer grasses and small 

 flexible roots. 



All the aets of the Chat arc indeed 

 unique among birds. "However much 

 of a tease and a deceiver he may be- 

 to the passer-by along the roadside, in 

 the privacy of the domestic circle lie 

 shows truly lovable traits." Xeltje Blan- 

 chan also writes : "The catbird and the 

 mocking-bird are rare mimics ; but while 

 the Chat is not their equal in this respect, 

 it has a large repertoire of weird, un- 

 canny cries all its own — a power of 

 throwing its voice, like a human ven- 

 triloquist, into unexpected corners of the 

 thicket or meadow." Indeed, so peculiar 

 and so wonderful are the numerous voice- 

 phases and physical actions of the Chat 

 that the many adjectives in the English 

 language may easily be used in an effort 

 to properly portray them. 



THE GOOD OLD EARTH. 



Some think that the world is going astray — 



A planet to ruin drifting. 

 Because in the lowering skies alway 



They cannot perceive the rifting : 

 But yet the earth is a good old earth, 



And faithful to frond and feather. 

 The flowers will spring, and the birds will sing 



As long as it holds together ! 



Some fear that the rain wall rot the roots, 



Or the rust will blight the barley, 

 That the drought will damage the young corn shoots 



If the sun won't hold a parley : 

 But yet the earth is a good old earth. — 



A true and a tender mother, 

 And none need fear for the blade and ear 



As long as it holds together ! 



Some say that the world has homely grown, 



And callous, and cold, and prosy. 

 That now its ways are with ashes strewn 



That once were so smooth any rosy : 

 But young hearts find it is warm and kind, 



And wdiisper to one another — 

 Love still doth reign o'er the earth's domain 



And will while it holds together! 



— Mrs. M. A. Maitlaxd. 



77 



