APRIL 67 



turn. It is no wonder that after a two or 

 three months' fast the leanness of a " June 

 shad" should have become proverbial. 



Comparatively few of the young shad es- 

 cape the vicissitudes of infant fish life, 

 though it often happens that a female shad 

 lays 200,000 eggs. Such, however, as out- 

 live the summer have grown by November 

 to be strong enough to follow their parents 

 down to the great deep, — to return perhaps 

 in about three years themselves to provide 

 for the future of their race. 



But the voice of a more careful parent, 

 who has returned once more, salutes the ear. 



THE BLACKBIRD'S CACKLE 



The blackbird's name is a reproach to us. 

 He is not black. That is only the setting. 

 Over his head and breast plays the most ex- 

 quisite series of peacock-blues, and greens, 

 and down his back runs a splendid sheet 

 of browns and bronzes, while across the 

 lower part of his back and across his tail 

 flashes a set of bars made of all the colors 

 of the rainbow. 



