70 IN BIRD LAND. 



same season of different years. I shall give it 

 almost verbatim as first published, hoping the 

 rather "free and easy" style will be generously 

 overlooked by critical readers. 



Every spring and autumn for many years I have 

 been watching the parade ; not a parade of soldiers, 

 or of civic orders, or even of a menagerie ; but one 

 of far more interest to the naturalist, — the pro- 

 cession of the army in feathers. A wonderful cor- 

 tege it is, this army in bright array ; and every time 

 you witness it, you add something new to your 

 knowledge of bird life. The last spring has been no 

 exception, although, when the pageant began, I 

 wondered if I should see any new birds or hear any 

 new songs, and even felt a little doubtful about it. 



But quite early a new bird was added to my list. 

 It was the blue-winged warbler, which carries about 

 a scientific name big enough to break its dainty 

 back. Just think of calling a tiny bird Helmintho- 

 phila pinus ! But happily it does not know its own 

 name, and, like some of my readers, would not be 

 able to pronounce it if it did, and therefore no 

 serious harm is done. This bird may be known by 

 the bright olive-green of its back, the pale blue of 

 its wings, the pure yellow of its under parts, and the 

 narrow black line running back through its eye. It 

 seemed to be quite wary, yet I got near enough to 

 see it catch insects on the wing like a wood-pewee, 

 as well as pick them from the leaves of the trees. 



The bird student must sometimes let problems go 



