The manner of flight of the different 
species of ducks is usually characteris- 
tic to the eye of the careful student. 
Thus the hooded mergansers fly in a 
compact flock of about a dozen birds 
with a directness and velocity that is 
wonderful. Dr. Hatch says, in his 
"Birds of Minnesota:" "Once in Janu- 
ary, 1874, when the mercury had de- 
scended to 40 below zero, while a north 
wind was blowing terrifically, I saw a 
flock of six of this species flying directly 
into the teeth of the blizzard at their 
ordinary velocity of not less than ninety 
• j 
miles an hour." This may sound rather 
strong to some, but their fight is cer- 
tainly very rapid, as any gunner will 
testify. 
The "fish ducks," or mergansers, are 
an interesting group of three American 
species, of which the hooded is the 
smallest. The long, slender, toothed 
or serrated bill of this group provides a 
field character which will serve to 
identify them at a glance. It is to be 
hoped that their habit of feeding 
largely upon fish will prove a protection 
from entire extermination. 
THE TRUMPETERS. 
The winds of March are trumpeters, 
They blow with might and main, 
And herald to the waiting earth 
The Spring and all her train. 
They harbinger the April showers, 
With sunny smiles between, 
That wake the blossoms in their beds, 
And make the meadows green. 
The South will send her spicy breath, 
The brook in music flow, 
The orchard don a bloomy robe 
Of May's unmelting snow. 
Then June will stretch her golden days, 
Like harp-strings, bright and long, 
And play a rich accompaniment 
To every wild bird's song. 
The fair midsummer time, apace, 
Shall bring us many a boon, 
And ripened fruits, and yellow sheaves 
Beneath the harvest-moon. 
The golden-rod, a Grecian torch, 
Will light the splendid scene, 
When Autumn comes in all the pomp 
And glory of a queen. 
Her crimson sign shall flash and shine 
On every wooded hill, 
And Plenty's horn unto the brim 
Her lavish bounty fill. — Andrew Dow?ii?ig. 
- • 12" 
