OCTOBER. 249 



and many a one chirped so cheerily it reached the border- 

 land of song. 



The squirrels, the tree-toads, and the frogs are well 

 provided for ; but what of the many birds abroad to-night ? 

 The last one that I saw was a grass-finch that flew up from 

 the deep ruts in the lane and darted into the high weeds. 

 As they shun the trees and do not dig caves, where do 

 they go ? It is raining so hard now the grass and weeds 

 will be soaked ; yet at daybreak, if the storm be over, 

 they will be abroad, chirping a little, and active as 

 crickets. 



I remember one fearful February day, cold as Green- 

 land and blowing a gale, when many birds took refuge 

 in the overhanging banks of a ravine ; I knew that car- 

 dinal redbirds will seek the shelter of a hollow tree, and 

 bluebirds gather where the densest cedars grow ; but still 

 the great problem is yet to be solved of where and how 

 birds find shelter from the storms. Sparrows and thrushes 

 remain abroad until the storm is really here, and reappear 

 so promptly at its close that it is hard to believe they 

 suddenly speed away to the outer edge of its path, and so 

 escape its severity. To find dead or disabled birds after 

 a wild night is not usual, but happens frequently enough 

 to convince one that the great bulk of every species have 

 suitable shelter in mind to which they can resort when 

 necessary. I have long hoped to come across such places, 

 and searched diligently, but not with much success. 

 Sortie of the ways of birds are still a mystery, but I am not 

 disposed to believe they are past finding out. 



The wind is rising. The angry blast that tugs at the 

 fastened shutter screams shrilly in its rage, and at last 

 finds entrance through some petty cranny that I knew 

 nothing of. With what fiendish delight it pounces upon 

 my shoulders, and sends a chill to the very marrow ! It 



