136 UNDER THE OPEN SKY 



feathers. The exuberance of their spring 

 songs is over now, and most of them sit 

 quiet on their perches. To be sure, their 

 carollings have accomplished their purpose, 

 and when the male has gained his mate and 

 helped to build the nest, there is work 

 enough in gathering food for his wife and 

 children to sober any father. Even yet his 

 joy bubbles over morning and evening; but 

 when the sun is high, the quiet persistent 

 note of the pewee must stand for almost the 

 whole choir of spring. 



HOT WEATHER SUITS THE INSECTS 



But, whatever the birds and we may 

 think of the weather, these are just the days 

 that suit the insects. The sun cannot shine 

 with rays hot enough to scorch their ardor, 

 and the hum of the bumblebee, the quick 

 flight of the wasp that is building its mud 

 hut under the eaves, and the buzz of the 

 hornet as he searches for flies are the pleas- 

 ant accompaniments of our summer lazings. 

 Through the warm air the butterflies wheel, 

 almost secure from the birds who sit in the 



