THE RETURN OF THE NATIVES. 9 1 



and fly-traps, they are most excellent combs and 

 brushes. Giving his dress a few finishing touches, 

 he utters in a suppressed tone the word queer as 

 the key-note to the roundelay, and then mounts 

 tlie gallery and goes flying up and down its length, 

 making the arches ring with his merriment. 



The tanager is a rare visitor in the woodlands 

 hereabouts, and appears to have come by accident 

 beyond the usual parallel. If he is alluding to the 

 color that Nature has painted his wife, his words 

 are indeed significant. I make her acquaintance 

 for the first time after much maneuvering and 

 circumvention, as she moves silently and by easy 

 stages through the young foliage, toward that ex- 

 ultant call, and am struck with the appearance of 

 her dull and faded coat. Dusky olive above, with 

 greenish-yellow underparts. Is it not " very queer " 

 and " very 'cute " also, on the part of the old Dame 

 to give her a garment that so nicely simulates the 

 bark and leaves at the time of her nesting ? For 

 if her color had been like that of her mate — a bril- 

 liant carmine — how quickly her enemies would 

 find her out. 



The male, during the season of incubation, seems 

 to be aware of his glowing hues, for, it is said, 

 he seldom visits his home, " or approaches it when 



