124 THE LOG OF THE SUN 



But if his rival is stronger, handsomer, and—* 

 victorious, what then? Alas, the song dies in his 

 throat, plumes hang crestfallen, and the discon- 

 solate creature must creep about through tangles 

 and brush, watching from a distance the nest- 

 building, the delights of home life which fate has 

 forbidden. But the poor bachelor need not by 

 any means lose hope; for on all sides dangers 

 threaten his happy rival — eats, snakes, jays, 

 hawks, owls, and boys. Hundreds of birds must 

 pay for their victory with their lives, and then the 

 once discarded suitors are quickly summoned by 

 the widows; and these step-fathers, no whit 

 chagrined at playing second fiddle, fill up the 

 ranks, and :work for the young birds as if they 

 :were their own offspring. 



There is an unsolved mystery about the trage- 

 dies and comedies that go on every spring. 

 Usually every female bird has several suitors, of 

 iwhich one is accepted. "When the death of this 

 mate occurs, iwithin a day or two another is 

 found; and this may be repeated a dozen times in 

 succession. Not only this, but when a female bird 

 is killed, her mate is generally able at once some- 

 where, somehow, to find another to take her place. 

 [Why these unmated males and females remain 

 single until they are needed is something that has 

 never been explained. 



The theme of the courtship of birds is marvel- 

 lously varied and comparatively little understood. 



