INTRODUCTION. XIX 
noted for richness and elegance of its attire. The Parula and Prothonotary Warbler, 
the Maryland Yellow-throat, the Hooded Warbler, the Redstart, the Black-throated 
Blue Warbler, Myrtle Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, 
Yellow Warbler, and almost all the other members of the family are lovely birds, not 
less famed for their beauty than for their confiding disposition and noble bearing. 
THE DAILY LIFE OF OUR BIRDS. 
No other animals understand to lead such a cheerful and poetical life as our birds. 
The longest day is scarcely long enough, and the shortest night scarcely short enough 
for them. All birds rise early in the morning. Darkness still hovers over field and 
forest. In the far east a light grayish hue announces the arrival of a new day. This 
is the time when most birds begin to sing their sweetest lays, which are now more 
effective and enchanting than later in the day. The Swallows chatter under their roof, 
and the Martins peep out of the entrance holes of their nesting-boxes, singing their 
sweetest notes. The Bluebird warbles its familiar and lovely strain almost incessantly, 
and the Robin carols its flute-like notes from the top of yonder elm. The Catbird, the 
humble tenant of the shrubbery, pours forth its sweetest music, praising the coming of 
the new day. The Thrasher we also hear. Like the Catbird, it delights to mount to 
some isolated perch during the nuptial season, ‘“‘and there, in easy attitude, with depend- 
ing tail, loosened plumage, and head thrown up, repeats again and again its delightful 
strains.”” When the farmer, shortly before the sun rises, follows his team to the field, 
he is greeted by an enchanting bird concert. All the birds are now in ecstacy of song, 
joy, and happiness. They all sing their anthem of morn before breakfast, looking for 
food not until the sun has risen. When building their nests they also perform their 
duty in the early morning hours. When the sun ascends higher and higher, the song 
ceases. Only now and then we hear a few notes. During the warm noontide we rarely 
hear a bird. The most diligent songsters are the Vireos. They sing during the warmest 
part of the day with the same diligence as in the early morning, and even in rainy and 
stormy weather their song resounds through woodlands and orchards. The Mocking- 
bird sings with great fervor even’at night, especially during the beautiful moonlit 
nights of the Gulf region. Whenever the rays of the sun become oppressively hot, most 
of the birds seek'a resting place in shady thickets, or among the dense foliage of trees. 
There they sleep or bring their plumage in order. The weather has a great influence on 
their bearing. Is the sky clear and the weather cheerful, they are also cheerful and 
happy; is the sky covered with clouds, they are depressed and quiet. During a number 
of cool and rainy days, when insects are hidden beneath the bark, in creviees of the 
wood, and among the old leaves, the hunting for food takes all their time, absorbing 
every other interest. They look now sad and discouraged. But as soon as the bright 
rays of the sun fall down again, their old good humor and happiness returns, and all 
are spending their time in singing and looking for food. 
All birds are fond of bathing, be it in the water, in sand, or dust, -After this 
