NATURE'S REALM. 
birds, when hunted by dogs in June or July, 
will often run for scores of rods before rising. 
The reason that land-rails are seldom or never 
seen after the first of September is probably 
because the old birds remain near the young 
ones, and as the latter can fly only with great 
difficulty, the old birds do net fly away from 
137 
them, but remain with them until hibernating 
time, when both young and old birds go into 
winter quarters under ground. 
It would be interesting to hear something 
more about this curious bird from some other 
person who has had an opportunity of studying, 
its habits. 
A SPRINGTIME SONG. 
By ALBERT BiGELowW PAINE. 
Flowers of spring, flowers of spring, 
Showers and sunshine quickly bring ; 
Scattered thickly o’er the meadow, 
Clustered in the woodland shadow, 
By the dusty roadside blooming, 
‘Freshly, gaily, and perfuming— 
The glorious air of the springtime fair. 
Here, and there, and everywhere ; 
Flowers of spring, flowers of spring,. 
Showers and sunshine quickly bring, 
Songs of spring, songs of spring, 
Brooks that laugh and birds that sing,,. 
Trees that whisper in the glade, 
Winds that murmur ’neath their shade,, 
Butterflies and happy bees 
Drowsing through the fragrant trees ;. 
Meadow larks that, soaring high, 
Sing their carols to the sky ; 
Quails that cail, on left and right, 
“Bobby White ! oh, Bobby White!” 
Songs of spring, songs of spring, 
Every being seems to sing. 
Loves of spring, loves of spring, 
Birds and bees and blossoms bring ;. 
When it comes we cannot guess— 
Love that’s born of loveliness ; 
Roaming through the meadow land,, 
Heart to heart and hand to hand ;. 
Music sweet and meadows fair 
Touch the hearts as light as air.. 
Loves of spring, loves of Spring, 
Birds and bees and blossoms bring- 

