™] Daniet., Slimmer Birds of the Great Dismal Swamp. I c 
that they have to be trimmed to avoid accidental hanging while 
climbing the wires of their cage, like diminutive parrots. 
The mysteries of nest building, housekeeping and the cares of 
nidification, are mysteries still. In the spring of 1900 the birds 
showed no signs of mating, and it was ascribed to their new sur- 
sroundings. But during the last week of February, 1901, the female 
■wished to go to housekeeping and materials were given them, 
-fine twigs, fine birch bark and a little Usnea moss. But the male 
bird treated his mate with disdain, quarreling with her and driving 
her from perch to perch. Whether he resented the matchmaking 
because it was ‘Hobson’s choice,’ or remembered the soft, sweet 
voice of the former partner of his joys and sorrows, the only “ Mrs. 
Leucoptera ” whom he had sworn to love and cherish till death 
part, and was loyal, I know not. Perhaps it was in grief, a 
memory of the blissful days in that far off northern home, among 
“ The murmuring pines and the hemlocks, bearded with moss.” 
Perhaps his tale of love was ended, “in Acadie, home of the 
happy.” 
Auk, XIX, Jan., 1902, P/?. >3 "/S', 
