BIRD PARADISE 147 



crows during the first summer. In fact only a 

 few, comparatively, reach the full adult size. 



The dry warm weather does not quite suit the 

 toad citizens of our hill country. They prefer 

 more moisture and I judge are not over fond of 

 the heated term. I have not seen a member of 

 the family for several weeks. The last one I met 

 was stopping under one of my large cabbages, and 

 seemed a good deal annoyed when I lifted the 

 great leaves and looked in upon the house and its 

 household of one. Of course, he had no oppor- 

 tunity to be other than quiet and peaceful, living 

 alone as he did. From some significant signs 

 which I saw, I concluded the fellow was arrang- 

 ing to don a new suit of clothes. Curious how 

 the toad divests himself of the entire suit that he 

 has worn for months. Just how he does it, I do 

 not know. I see the old put off and the new put 

 on and there my knowledge halts, and I fancy the 

 toad's does also. Throwing aside the old skin 

 and putting on a new one is exactly what is 

 done. A few days in the new raiment gets every- 

 thing into shape, so that the fellow feels entirely 

 at home. The single suit serves for twelve 

 months, and someway the wearer easily keeps it 

 whole and clean all that time. 



