go THE RETURN OF THE NATIVES. 



time while singing in searcli of insects among the 

 leaves, and is apparently unconscious of attracting 

 any attention. He pauses frequently in his asser- 

 tions to capture a crawling dainty, but takes up 

 the burden immediately afterward and carries it 

 through to the end. Once while singing he sud- 

 denly stops at the third syllable, apparently to lis- 

 ten to some far-off sound, and not till he has been 

 convinced of its import, which occupies him a 

 number of seconds, does he conclude the refrain 

 with a relish and peculiar expression noticeable in 

 persons who have recalled promptly a good thing 

 almost forgotten. Now he flashes down through 

 the branches and lights in a shallow part of the 

 stream to moisten his fluted throat and enjoy a 

 refreshing bath. As he dips himself in the cooling 

 water, I almost expect to see a puff of steam rise 

 up, or a spot of carmine drift past on the current. 

 His extremities, the wings, legs, and bill, are black, 

 as if the fire-bearer were undergoing the cooling 

 process, and the thinner, smaller parts had been 

 first affected. Now he hops on a bush to preen 

 his bright feathers and shake his wings. 



What a knack all the birds have of fixing them- 

 selves up after washing! Their beaks are many 

 tools in one. Besides the chisels, picks, shuttles, 



