84 THE RETURN OF THE NATIVES. 



when left alone with the cradle, is apt to overturn 

 it, and throw the babies headlong on the cold grass 

 to perish before the nurse has furnished them with 

 the customary suit of yellow flannel. 



How fragrant are the blossoms of this ■virbuT'^ 

 num ! Its numerous compound cymes are spread 

 out over its top, like round tables whereon are set 

 innumerable silver urns, filled with delicious nectar. 

 Hither the different orders of insects have been 

 invited to partake of the bountiful repast. The 

 various families of hymenoptera are here, the bees 

 and wasps of high and low degree, noisy and in- 

 toxicated ; representatives from the uniformed no- 

 bility Lepidoptera, the butterflies and moths, have 

 condescended to attend the banquet, while the ill- 

 mannered blue-bottles and mimic wasps are buzzing 

 around in their midst, lapping up the remnants in 

 refused goblets. Suddenly a singer arrives upon 

 the scene, and scatters the wine bibbers in every 

 direction. It is the yellow-throated vireo (FtVeo 

 fiavifrons) who has just flown from a grove of oaks 

 and beeches hard by, where for a long time he has 

 entertained me with his truly sylvan notes. His 

 cheery voice is more frequently heard while he is 

 moving about in the high trees. Certain it is that 

 when listened to from such situations the effect 



