137 



a liumming-bird, and looking up saw one approaching 

 me. On it came until it reached the distance of about 

 one yard from me, and there poised itself for several 

 v^econds looking straight at me. I do not know 

 whether it was as much gratified by the circumstance 

 as I was or not; nor do I know for what it came. 



A few days previous I noticed one flitting around 

 one of our flower-beds. Presently it alighted on a 

 neighboring clothes-line and sat for several minutes 

 intently gazing around. Now turning its wee head 

 this way, then that. Occasionally it would plume a 

 feather or two. What an excellent opportunity to 

 observe it, indeed it was not allowed to pass unimprov- 

 ed. Much to my discontent the little visitor soon 

 took to its wings and was lost to sight. 



When viewed under a microscope small objects are 

 seen to a better advantage. I once examined a five 

 spotted sphinx in this way and was well pleased by the 

 result. The hair on its body resembled a cat's fur, 

 and the antennae looked similar to scrubbing brushes. 



Many more of these observations could be given but 

 as space is limited I will dwell a little upon the return 

 of the birds in the spring, having for the past year or 

 so taken notes when I saw them for the first time. 



Third month 11th, 1887. Observed a large number 

 of robins in a wooded district. They flew near togeth- 

 er and appeared in every way as though they had just 

 arrived from the south. This I find nearly corresponds 

 with the time for their return given in histories and 

 other books. 



Third month 20th, 1887. To-day I noticed a very 

 large flock of blue birds on a hill. They were eating 



