af ‘ heii - 4%? ~ J oh 7 _ ne.) ; at a . 4 7 i id Ve : ry ( Bh ae 7 MeN MARCH, 1399, 2 Ro, 3 ‘The veautiful is as useful as the useful.—Vicior Hugo. Ha Gixe << OG x 3G iy | \ | CONTENTS. THE TUFTED TITMOUSE’ (By Lynds Jones) Loeeiat : 97 EPITAPH ON THE HARE (By Cowper) - ‘ 98 re A TRANSIENT BOARDER (By C. S. Cook) “ 103 JZ THE SQUIRREL’S USE OF HIS TAIL (By Jas. Newton Baskett) 103 THE NORTHERN PRAIRIE HARE Detter 5 asf O7, | DESTRUCTION OF BIRD LIFE . , : 109 = ( WE BELIEVEIT . 3 é ; ’ «S09 at | THE PINEAPPLE [Illustration] ‘ F F < 110 LITTLE BUSYBODIES (By Belle P. Penney) eile THE CHARITY OF BREAD CRUMBS (By Anne C. Steele) : 155 THE HOODED MERGANSER (By Lynds Jones) [Illustration] . 119 THE TRUMPETERS (By Andrew Downing) . ° ‘ 120 THE CLOVE (By Dr. Albert Schneider) [Illustration] si be PDS A VEIN OF HUMOR (By Elanora Kinsley Marble) . $25 ‘TAMING THE SMALLER WILD ANIMALS (Alda M. Mills) dr Aohee THE WOODCHUCK. [Illustration] . : 131 FLOWERS WITH HORNS AND CLAWS (By E, F. Mosby) a cu Par THE COMMON AMERICAN MOLE eis ale “ : 133 THE OAK (Lowell) $ - , 2 oe SKIN (By W. E. Watt) : “ A : : 137 - THE AZALEA [Illustration] ‘ % i . $ 6 JAS COMMENDABLE BOOKS ¢ ~ EpvITED By C. C. MARBLE. ILLUSTRATED BY COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY. j EWA y SEK cress: SWEAR SRANKLIA CX FSF ‘ Entered at Chicago Post Ofc as second-class matter. ~ po EN ee" Rasher. oy sg ¥ 2% =. rae ae o Sat A eee ee et a a Oy a See, A ? 4. Ph 2 2 % ‘ : : VEO F ¥ FS : we 8 os i 4 a S ? ene ent Bey we “2 eA See ” —> = * a "i * ay Ph teins y Ss ee Nee ay ioe ~~ 1 “ ty * % SS + hee as g - BirDs AND ALL NATURE. MONTHLY—SEPTEMBER TO JUNE. IHlustrated by Golor Photography. Copyright 1898, by Nature Study Publishing Co. ; Ff TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PUBLICATION : PRICE. The subscription price is one dollar and fifty cents a year, payable in advance. Single copy fifteen cents. POSTAGE 1S PREPAID by the publishers for all | subscriptions in the United States, Canada and Mexico. For all other countries in the Postal Union, add 3e cents for postage. CHANGE OP ADDRESS. When a change of ad- dress is ordered, both the new and the old address must be given. Postmasters are not allowed to for- ward second class matter until postage is sent to pre- pay charges. It costs twocents per copy to forward this magazine. Subscribers who do not observe this ruie should not ask us to send duplicate copies. DISCONTINUANCES. If a subscriber wishes his magazine discontinued at the expiration of his sub- scription, notice to that effect should be sent, other- wise it is assumed that a continuance of the subscrip- tion is desired. All Letters should be addressed to 1 / - BXTRA PICTURES $1.00 year. | is a fraud. HOW TO REMIT. Reniittances should be sent ‘by. check, draft, express order, or money ‘order, pares y to order of A. W. Mumford. ‘Cash should be sent in registered letter. RECEIPTS. Remittances are immediately ac- knowledged by postal card, indicating date. to which. a subscription is paid. c BOUND VOLUMES. Vols. I, II, III, IV, cloth, naire $1.25; same, half morocco, $1,75; same, full Ree” $2.25. Vols. Il and II or III and IV combined, cloth, $2.25; same, half morocco, $3.00; same, full ’ ‘eRarocen $4.25. Volumes begin with January and July. % We allow 50 cents per volume for unbound numbers % E when returned in exchange for bound volumes. — : CAUTION. Subscribers are warned not to pay fs money to Thomas C. Howard—Thomas pegs He A. W. MUMFORD, 203 MICHIGAN AVE., CHICAGO, TLL ODODE DHGDISGODOD IND OD 900DVId/.V9OD-9O3HBSU‘YD 4 oo] O]IDIDID ee rr ee * GHILD-STUDY ION EHL Ye ges sce oe os ce ian Os ated, San detente $1.00 per year, BIRDS AND ALL NATURE (Monthly) fa Tec 2 er ae ES S$E5D as SCHOOL BULLETIN (Monthly) ......0.....000000 veveeeees Seer $1.00. AMERICAN PRIMARY TEACHER (Monthly) ...........00eeeeeeeee $1.00. #7: MODERN METHODS (Monthly) 6.5 sis S es ae od a a $1.00 28% CURRENT HISTORY (Quarterly) .......0.ccscceesec cee eeeees Nant $1.50... .8 ee N. E, JOURNAL OF EDUCATION (Weekly) ........ .-..--. Reais, $2.50: 2) oaks Any two papers fo the same address, 10 per cent discount; three or more, 20 per cent discount. A. W. MUMFORD. MEAN REE RET RAMEE AEM LE MLE LE LR LE LER LE LELR IE RELL LEE LE CELE LE LN REET HALLE RARER Birds and All Nature for 1899 | «WILL BE BETTER THAN EVER... = The features that have made the magazine so popular will be retained. : The colored pictures will, as in the past, strike the eye and hold attention. — We have added eight pages of text and wonderfully improved the se matter. A. W. MUMFORD, _ 203 Michigan Avenue, Chicago. 2 o § SOVIBOWo BeBe Bowo@oowesewewosowowowowos UBy~., th tS L per ads ad uy .— ¥ ‘* . Sethe { ‘ lca th + te 4 Faye fi 5 Ss , va 3 Rie oes? + : : \ ~ P £) a eet iiy | ~ 5 ! f ree . z 7 AY ‘ ‘ J we ites, ieee ue hy PENRY G. AWE EN & “Co: sn i i i in ih ii ls in i ts Sn tn tn tn tn tn tn tin tn sn tt ts tt tn tn tn tn tn A MILLION-DOLLAR LIBRARY FOR $30. A LIBRARY that cost over $1,500,000 to prepare. A LIBRARY so complete that it covers the entire range of human knowledge. A LIBRARY 50 reliable that it has become the standard of all English-speaking countries of the world. A LIBRARY so compact that it places readily before you complete knowledge of every subject. Encyclopedia Britannica IN(30) THIRTY SUPERB SINGLE VOLUMES--30 DAY OFFER. Ou Ente ENY(OPHED ICA | BRITANNICA | BRIAN My Vout H| ATH-Bor DUI ENCCnE A ENV MEOW ENCY(( A © (Conoy ENV ere nr (4! BRITANNICA] BRI sa BRITANN BRITANNICA | BRITANNI VI} VoL. VoL. 1X ~ ELD ELE-FAK | FAL-F AAR HF aero EN Cone ENyCenE nna BRITANNICA, BRITANN Pah ITAKNICA HHH HAN i l'Vo Neon EN(Y(LopAEDH ENO BRITANKI(A BRITANNICA/BRITANNICA BRITANRICA XX | PRu-ROS EN(Y(ePADUA oa EN(Y((OPAEDH ENT(CRRggIN ENvormOM EN (Ut y i we BRTANNI(A; BRITANNIC Ny (CAH (A/ BRITANNICA antes { BRITANNI LIV S1B-SZ0| UTAB-UPS | hal Bee ea THIS NEW EDITION of the popular Allen Reprint of this famous work is supplied witha NEW COMPLETE APPENDIX VOLUME in addition to our exhaustive American Supplement. This appendix volume takes every important title in the work and gives all the knowledge that is new or recent concerning it, bringing information down to date. It contains also 52 New Maps, including the new Government Map of Klondike, Hawaii, Cuba. Thus, with our supple- mental volumes, the Britannica becomes the da/est as well as the greatest. ABSOLUTELY COMPLETE.— This edition will contain every one of the 8,000 illust rati ions, 700 maps, and 25.000 articles found in the original,and while at less than one-third the price, it will be essentially equal to the original edition. Consider the advantage of a family which has these wolumes over one which has not, or which has a cheap, three or four volume, wveliable, so-called encyclo- pedia. When information is wanted by parents or children, here it is close at hand, and above all it is xediadle. The members of the family become accustomed to refer to its HENRY G. FFF Feeo tees Ss nti i nn in adn a tin indi in nin nti tnt nn tina din l Bindings.—The volumes are handsomely and durably bound in genuine silk-cloth binding, double-hinged, with flexible back, on good quality book paper. Regular Price of This Superb Set, $50.00: Offered for 30 Days at $30 Cash, or $33 on Monthly Payments. pages; in a few years they possess a fund of knowledge worth many times the price of the work, NO RISK.—The set may be returned to us any time within ten days, if not satisfactory, and the money will be returned. ORDER NOW and take advantage of this splendid chance to secure this unrivaled fund of universal knowledge. Sign this application or write for fuller particulars. HENRY G. ALLEN & CO., 150 FirTH Ave., New YorK. Gentlemen: I desire to take advantage of your special offer on the Encyclopedia Br ttannica to B.& A. . vreaders,and inclose $1.00 as initial payment. Send full particulars, and if found satisfactory I will spies 1 the set, paying for it in monthly payments of 2.00; otherwise the money to be returned to me. ALLEN & CO., Publishers, 150 Fifth Avenue, New York. OF AN ee Oliver Davie w PFtyE orion 600 PAGES (very EXTRAC hg sf) 58) Oy Postpacel INELy [LLustRAE > Ty The ved bodlron Kiggs ever published. INSpecyar Paice To t EACHERS é $ |.75 ostpaid INERALS SoColawdSpecwmens $ 19° prepard (OO Lovaer Specimens 250 prepard SHELLS 25 nce \ox Colonel ramet $200 Oris, a. ‘ : 500 IRD OKINS 12 Voxretves $399 IR \2 Wounted S pecrmens Tov \Q oo. IRDS EGGS 25 Kinds dds class Ond Nomed vw oO Parlthoned cose wed PY Cor ony callow Oar show 12 prepa \@ GGG AVAL. blowerpe emoryo Wook and NY data im pockel case only 354 prepard. ORNED TOAD 75¢ TARANTULA 504 iW) TRAP-DOOR SPIDER 50¢ AND NEST 50¢ y Cal aloque over 300 Wudivations 10% ames a4 S ~S> = = eae POE. THE PRATT TEACHERS’ AGENCY Recommends teachers to colleges, schools, families. Advises parents about schools. WM. O. PRATT, Manager, 70 Fifth Avenue, New York. Educated Service Furnished Free of Gost. Tutors, Governesses, college and normal trained Teachers of experience, all subjects. Personal inter- view granted; limited number sent. School proper- ties rented and sold. .. SPECIALISTS A SPECI LTY. Applicants for educational positions will find it to their advantage to enroll with the oldest Teachers’ Agency in the United States. Circulars free on appli- cation. Schermerhorn’s Teachers’ Agency, 3 East 14th St., New York City. JoHunw C. ROCKWELL, Manager. Birds and All Nature, $1.50 The Child-Study Monthly, $1.00 Both one year for - $2.00 Samples sent on receipt of 10 cts. in stamps. CHICAGO, ILL. 5 Cents.__C© is A S S j ‘Be S ~ 5 Cents. The Children ought to bless the spirit that prompted the getting up of such books. Mason S. Stone, State Supt. of Education, Vt. . No. No. No. TS BEARS GRA 44. Story of Fulton. 47. Rab and His Friends. p 2. Asop’s Fables.—1. 45. Story of the Pilgrims. 50. Christmas Eve, etc. (/rving.) sh LE sop’s Fables.—2. 46. Story of the Boston Tea Party. 4TH READER GRADE. 11. Selections from Asop.—l. 48. Story of Eli Whitney. 5. St Pant etioch 12. Selections from ASsop.—2. 60. Story of Edison. 19: The Dex ted Ville Goldsmith 73. Story of the Buds. 61. Story of Hawthorne. 7.0 . ite ec L age. ( oldsmith) 74. What Annie Saw. 62. Story of S. F. B. Morse. 37. Othello, etc. (Lam uh 63. Story of Louisa M. Alcott. 38. The Temptest, etc. (Lambé.) 2ND READER GRADE. 64. Story of James Watt. 39. We are Seven, etc. (Wadsworth.) 1. Grimm’s Fairy Tales.—1. 68. Story of the Norsemen. E sea Masiner: (CHlenase) 4. Grimm’s Fairy Tales.—2. 69. Puss in Boots. 5 ustke per ot Hame “(B 7. Little Red Riding Hood. 70. Story of Stevenson. 55. John Gilpin. et Cc rowning.) 8. Jack and the Beanstalk. 71. Story of Irving. ee. Th "El Pp nee Cc. Ms owper.) 9. Story of Bryant. 72. Story of Pocahontas. és. Si R of Sil Patra Nedie 13. Selections from Grimm.—1. 66. D e i on mie f tnd ee 2 14. Selections from Grimm.—2. 3RD READER GRADE. O17 Pie atotein andtOueee 2 20. Stories from Garden and Field, I. : , anatopsis an er pipe 21. Storiesfrom Garden and Field,II. | 15. Legend of Sleepy heli (Bryant.) 25. Story of Columbus. 16. Rip Van Winkle, etc. (/rving. 5TH READER GRADE. 26. Story of Israel Putnam. 17. Philip of Pokanoket, etc. (/rving.) | 6. Lays of Ancient Rome.—1. 27. Story of William Penn. 18. The Voyage,etc. (lrvzng.) 10. Enoch Arden. (Tennyson.) 28. Story of Washington. 22. Hawthorne’s Golden Touch. 49. L Allegro and Other Poems. 29. Story of Franklin. 23. Hawthorne’s Three Golden Ap- ? (Milton.) 30. Story of Webster. ples. 51. As You Like It. (Shapers) 31. Story of Lincoln. 24. Hawthorne’s MiraculousPitcher. | 52. Merchant of Venice. (Shakespeare) 35. Story of Lowell. 32. King of the GoldenRiver.(Ruskzm) | 53. Henry the Eighth. (Shakespeare.) 36. Story of Tennyson. 33 The Chimera. (Hawthorne.) 57. Lady of the Lake. Canto J. 42. Story of Whittier. 34. Paradise of Children.(Hawthorne) | 58. Lady of the Lake. Canto II. 43. Story of Cooper. 41. Evangeline. (Longfellow.) 59. Lady of the Lake. Canto lll. _ SEND FOR COMPLETE LIST---137 NUMBERS NOW ISSUED. karOrder by number. Each number contains about 32 pages of Choice Illustrated Literature, bound in strong mauilla covers. Price,5 cents acopy; 60 cents a dozen, postpaid. On orders amounting to $0 cents or less, please remit in one-cent stamps. Address Dept. A EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, 378 Wabash Avenue, CHICAGO, 63 Fifth Avenue, NEW YORK, IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT. Birds and All Nature Pictures for 1899, $0 cents. copes of our subscribers have found the ‘‘Brirps,’’ and ‘‘Brrps aND Att Nature” colored pictures very useful in decorating their schoolrooms, so we have decided to send an extra set of pictures to subscribers to the magazine at 50 cents a year—¢2.00 for a year’s sub- scription and a set of pictures each month. The pictures, when not sent to subscribers, will cost $1.00 per year. We can still supply pictures for 1897 and 1808 at $1.00 for each year, or 10 cents per month. A. W. MUMFORD, 203 Michigan Ave., Chicago. : and SCHOOL SUPPLIES KINDERGARTEN seed. W. SCHERMERHORN & CO. 3 East 14th Street, New Work. Catalogue No. 50 sent on request. = A ba rE A U D i Thos. C. Howard, Sr., Thos. W. Cowley, Sr. s Thos. C. Ridgley, Thos. C. Ridgway. For some time this mau has been representing himself as our agent and collecting money, He usually signs a receipt as though he were connected with the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C. Following is the description generally given by people whom he defrauds: “He is about six feet in height, strongly built, has a heavy head of auburn hair (possibly a wig), wears a heavy beard and mustache partly gray, is quite shabbily dressed, and has two fingers of the right hand taken off at the knuckles. He may be between sixty or sixty-five years old, and professes to be a very honest, good Quaker and uses the pronouns ‘thee’ and ‘thou’ constantly. He carries with him a collection of colored pictures of birds, animals and flowers, insects, etc.; also a few copies of BIRDS magazine, and says they are from Miss Willard, the great writer on nature.” He is in no way connected with ‘““Brrps anp ALL NaTuRz#,” and we will pay a liberal reward for his arrest and conviction. A. W. MUMFORD, 203 Michigan Ave., Chicago. PRAISE FOR BIRDS AND ALL NATURE. “Please bind into two volumes, cloth, the 24 copies of Birps which I express to you to- day. Inform me as to your price as advertised, and it will be promptly paid. Success to you and BirDS AND ALL, Nature. Have found Brirps a source of good cheer, inspiration and helpfulness. BIRDS AND ALL NATURE occupies a unique field among magazines, and is therefore sure to meet with marvelous circulation.”’ REV. STEPHEN A. NORTHROP. . Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 4, 1899. “T am so much delighted with the volume of your magazine that I want Vols. 3 and 4, and also want to subscribe for the current year.”’ H. W. CRANE. Bloomfield, N. J., Feb. 3, 1890. “Your BIRDS AND ALL NATURE magazine is such a perfect little gem of a publication that I must have the four bound volumes of back numbers, so enclose herewith five dollars in New York exchange, for which please mail me the books and oblige.”’ D. EK. DOBBINS. Boulder, Col., Feb. 11, 1899. $1.50 A YEAR. SAMPLE COPY, 10 CENTS. A. W. MUMFORD, 203 Michigan Ave., Chicago 3 THE HUMBOLDT LIBRARY OF SCIENCE is the only publication of its kind, the only one containing popular scientific works at low prices. For the most part it contains only works of acknowledged excellence, by authors of the first rank in the world of science. In this series are well represented the writings of Darwin, Huxley, Herbert Spencer, Tyndall, Proctor, and other leaders of thought in our time. The books are Complete and Unabridged Editions, in Neat Paper Covers.’ Price, 15 cents a number. Double numbers, 30 cents. ‘Twenty-four numbers at 15 cents for $3.00, double numbers counting as two at 15 cents. Extra numbers same rate. No charge for mailing. 1 Light Science for Leisure Hours ....... 2.2.0. s0e0e00 Proctor 2 Forms of Water in Clouds; Rivers, etC...........+: Tyndall Double number—}3o cents, 3) Physics) and) Politics. -j. 2)- «< |= «sie «== cle eln)sielnle le -jais/s Bagehot ApManis Place WmANACUTes lereleterelal>ee(olalel =/elereleleisinlalsiielcle is als Huxley 5 Education: Intellectual, Moral, Physical........... Spencer GHTO Ww GEolopyine cra) sciereatatalns l= nis\clclsisierlsieln ejeieeiwie als Kingsley Ve The ConsenvallonmogibMeneysnen civieleicisiclsls slave eatettote .Stewart SeNeydlabys Cl? WAV aN as Sg bh de Gooene Bopaeeoodud Marcel 6) TKS DAAC IBS Bon aas cua debe oadoUGonuTGUncONo Spencer Io Theory of Sound in Relation to Music............. Blaserna II ‘oe Naturalist on the River Amazon, \ Bates 12 Two numbers in one—30 cents. f°" ""*""** rey Mainvebeinel tov: SA solopoo sooo aatOMOUnOOnBODOORODOG00G Bain 14) hesWondersiof they Heavens. -la\=\sielel\a/ fal Flammarion 15 Longevity: Means ot Prolonging Life............ Gardner TOV Ons netO ni pinpolopeCCles iy -jalellelels ete tainiateleleistelaieliersiciel=|= Huxley 07 Progress: | Its-Law and) Cause. o 02. 2. See ct cence Spencer DS mbessOMSp Nee ChiNciiyinryerrettaleirsieeleinrete (olsanciais sieieyate iste Tyndall 19 Familiar Essays on Scientific Subjects..............-- Proctor 20 The Romance of Astronomy............ ese eees ee - Miller are Mhe Physical BasisyOf; Wlfe sy jeferersisteis'siei sie 10. sels ele) seine Huxley Ops BRSer ANG MUNIN: Golgdoveuanodd aocn goconG naachs Clifford DO CLENT EA CHAO P DIS Sir-velaicgs siatoncia cteteleveterstevelsesles eats Wainwright PAyPopilanocientiicy Lectures): cn aleldwveeiersieeidelsiieieins Helmholtz DsmlheyOrneinioh Nations serrcicclelseheeieicesi stele arerohereiais Rawlinson ZO OHevEVolUtionistiat Lange: < eye ejeletslcisiieisisibie\lo stare Grant Allen 27 The History of Landholding in England............. Fisher 28 JRashion wh) Deformity. stants s-ccit see clatemeisieieisie cle sicisls Flower 29 Facts and Fictions of Zoology........ Sl atatalavrs Nerstslo wis Wilson 30 The Study of Words.—Part I. 31 The Study of Words.—Part Il. f ttt 7t*"* dnsge ddd Trench BaLeneditany ein ratts cicieter ies -1ctevelelelelsilercisial a Pollock 43 Darwin and) Humboldtwscasejerine ce eeiines Huxley—A gassiz 44 The Dawn of History.—Part I. K 45 The Dawn of History.—Part Il. f ""**°7 crt ct sete gary Abbe Diseases ofwMemonvee anys cieusenmeties esis Cokie oe Ribot 47, ne. Childhood ofshelipionsncccens-ceeereecicceeier on Clodd 48 sLifeliniNaturessa.ccckensonsts tees stone cena coc soee Hinton 49 The Sun: Its Constitution, Phenomena, etc............. Carr 50 § Money and the Mechanism of Exchange. Two 51 Parts.—15 cents each. Jevons 52) Aches Diseases, ofathes vl = aero eels cpisida eee cle cise ie Ribot 53) Animal Autonratismierramacereiece nee stie ts inerveeaonas Huxley 54 The Birth and Growth of Myths....25.....0.-0.+ +e-- Clodd Bs) deheiscientiic Basisioh Moralsccecsec scictesiencis coer: Clifford 56 Illusions: A Psychological Stuay. Part I. Sull 57 Illusions: A Psychological Study. Part Il.f “*"""*""* my 58 The Origin of Species.) Two Parts. | Darwi 59 The Origin of Species. § 30 certs each. BACODE Opa ey Go) Dhe/Childhood of the Wiorlde t,o 45 seca scene onic Clodd Gr) Miscellaneous) iP ssays nave seit mee eine toe te Proctor 62 The Religions of the Ancient World..... «eee... Rawlinson Double number.—3o cents, 63) Propressive, Moralityis ptt cnetiasce ca seeeine teeter Fowler 64 Distribution of Life, Animal and Vegetable, in) Wallace Spacesandiimern wince ace e eee en aces Dyer 65 Conditions of Mental Development................. Clifford OGyMechnicalieducationeen eeepc teat neice Huxley 67) Mhe/Black2D cath permiaseny: teen cone ce eie ane Hecker 6g § Laws in General—Origin of Animal Worship— Political Fetichism.—1io cents. BRERCEE 69 Fetichism, Contribution to Anthropology ......... Schultze Double number.—3o cents. 70. Essays, Speculative and Practical .......s0c+es kitchen delicacy received a moment’s attenfion. Fortunately, however, there was little need of studying to win his confidence, as but little encouragement was necessay. He was afraid of noth- ing; not from innocent ignorance by any means, but from complete self- confidence. He was not defiant, but intrepid. This confidence was not gained by observing that he was not molested, but had its source in the spirit of the bird, as shown by the fact that there was little difference in his demeanor during the six days: he was with me. The next day a mason came to the ranch to see about a proposed fireplace and chimney. As we stood talking over the matter, one on each side of a small table, my little boarder came and made a thorough search for game among the various articles on the table. While working in the kitchen I often found him at my feet, several times even between them as I stood at the stove or table. This was a position of such danger to him that I felt obliged to be very cautious in my movements. Occasionally he would perch on my shoulder or head, never staying very long but never betraying any distrust. It was most entertaining to watch him in his pursuit of game. As a hunter he was full of resources, untiring in his efforts, insatiable in his appetite. When he saw a fly on the floor or table near him he would slowly and stealthily approach, his little black eyes snapping, his frontal feathers depressed so as to give him a vicious look, and often with his wings trembling with excitement as he held them slightly loosened at his sides. When he judged himself near enough he would make a little run and try to snap up hisvictim. This method of stalking, though much used, was the least successful of his hunting expedi- ents, a large majority of the flies es- caping. When ina favorable locality he would sometimes keep quiet for a time—that is, relatively quiet—as quiet as a small bird can be expected to remain, ready to seize any impudent flies that came within the reach of his bill, which would snap on them with a loud sound. He was most skillful at this, making the quickest motions conceivable. Although these snap shots were very successful, the flies rarely came past in sufficient numbers to satisfy him long, and he would soon set out to hunt up his game. Then there was the full chase. - It was not now a matter of a little dash on foot, but a full flight after a big blue- bottle fly which can dart through the air like a bullet. Back and forth they go with a great rush and much dodg- ing. When caught, these big flies made a large mouthful for the vic- tor, ‘de> would. light onthe tiioor and proceed to swallow his prey. This usually required several efforts. Watch- ing him called to mind one’s own ex- periences with big gelatine capsules. With the final and successful effort Wrensie’s eyes would close with a dis- tressed look as the fly went down his throat. Flies were often to be found floating on the surface of the water ina large water pail. This fact did not long es- cape Wrensie’s eye, and he made his round to this trap with much regularity. When the pail was well filled with water he could reach the flies with compara- tive ease; but when the water became low this became a most difficult matter. He did not fly down to get them, but would reach down while hanging tothe edge: of “the pail. YOttemsre- peated trials were necessary. It was could stretch himself in these efforts. Holding onto the edgealways, he would | 102 swing himself down, stretch his neck to the utmost, and then, just as he was on the point of falling into the water, with a quick flutter of his wings he would raise himself to the top again, never re- linguishing his hold on the rim. In this way he would pick up flies at the center of the pail when it was not half filled with water, which, in view of the small size of the bird, was an acrobatic feat. Then there was the battue. When he approached a window thickly covered with flies a scene of the wildest excite- ment followed. Wrensie would dash into the melee, afoot or a-wing as it happened, his bill snapping faster than a repeating rifle. The slaughter would be continued until the remaining flies were dispersed, which soon came to pass. Even the still hunt was not without interest. No setter ever worked the ground more faithfully. Every nook and corner of the house was examined for moths. Moreover, every article was scrutinized, and, when possible, he looked beneath and within. A pair of working gloves lay upon the floor. Wrensie unhesitatingly went in, disap- pearing entirely and remaining long enough to put his head into every finger—which he may, or may not have done. It interested me much to note that in such explorations his assurance was complete. In this kind of delving I was prepared to see some hesitation in my presence. It seemed to me that when I was standing by him it would be only reasonable caution on his part to remain where he could keep his eyes on me. But he never seemed to watch me; and gave me numerous op- portunities to capture him, as he would disappear in 4 dish or in some hole, and remain for some time. He never hesitated in this, nor did he seem to scrutinize his surroundings before going out of sight. Wrensie was not only persistent and thorough in his search for moths in dark corners, but determined as well. He would crowd himself into openings so Gy _ narrow that he would have to back out surprising to see to what a distance he | after concluding the search. One day he undertook to pass between two cans ona shelf. Ide made’ avstronsvetiong but so narrow was the passage that he could not push his way in; his wings were too prominent. He backed away a few steps and looked at the crack a moment with his head cocked on one side. Then quickly stepping up to it, he stood on one leg, turned his body up edgewise, and squeezed through. Perhaps as good an example as I can give of Wrensie’s fearlessness is to de- scribe his behavior one day when I had some work to do on the outside of a window. I stood on a staging just in front of the window, and was engaged in driving nails in the window casing. This hammering made a great noise, shaking the loose sash sharply. Wren- sie was busily engaged catching flies on the inside of the window, standing on the top of the lower sash; that is, at the middle of the window. All my motions, all the “noise and the jar failed ito frighten him away, although at times he looked at me pretty sharply. While so courageous in most ways, still Wrensie had his ideas of caution. Upon my return to the house after a short absence he would usually leave the room abruptly, either going out of doors or up into the attic. Even if I came in very quietly, taking precau- tions not to disturb him, the result was the same. This conduct always seemed to me a curious fact, and an inconsis- tency which I could not explain. Clever and interesting as he was, Wrensie had his shortcomings. His dis- position was not that of the typical bird: ‘Sweetness and light” were not his.» In his spirit was none of the ex- uberent joy of the great songsters, nor any of the bonhommie of happy-go- lucky sparrows. During the whole term of our acquaintance not a sound left his throat! In complete silence did he pursue his vocation. A perfect helpmate, but a faulty companion. A very practical sort of bird he was, full of activity, but without vivacity. Can it be that the spirit of our industrial age is sO pervasive that even the birds are unable to escape its influence? It would seem that evolution has produced the utilitarian and “strictly business”’ type of character among them. One day there was a noisy flutter of wings at the door, and the harsh cry of the butcher-bird was heard. On _ step- ping out I saw feathers floating in the air. I concluded that I would see no more of my little companion and helper. The blue-bottle fly was avenged. THE SQUIRREL’S USE OF HIS TAIL. BY JAMES NEWTON BASKETT, MEXICO, MO. F COURSE every one who has C) had a pet squirrel has noticed what an important thing his tail seems to be to him. When he makes his toilet he usually ends by bringing the hairy brush around and apparently wiping his face with it, as though it were his towel. But I sus- pect that he is as much concerned, even here, about the care of his tail as about the cleanliness of his features, for Bunny’s beauty, like that of some others, lies as much in his train as in his countenance. One use, therefore, of the squirrel’s tail is to make him look pretty. I think, at least, no one can see him put it into such graceful curves along with his delightful pos- tures without feeling that he is posing for esthetic effect. Still, a little study of his ways may 103 make us think that there is a more prac- tical purpose even in this feature of his tail’s use. We had a pet squirrel in the house recently—one of the western fox species or variety. He had be- come quite tame in his cage before he was released in my study. At inter- vals I had him brought in, and we usually romped together at least once a day. At first everything was so new and strange to him that he was very shy and must go about investigating. I noticed that, as he approached any- thing which he feared might prove dangerous, he always projected his tail over his back far forward—sometimes feeling the object with the extreme hairs before touching it with his nose. He annoyed me greatly by tearing the wall paper from a certain angle. One % day I threw a pamphlet so as to strike just above his nose while at his mis- chief. It frightened him badly, and he suspected that the scare had come out of the wall. But he could not re- sist the fascination of this sport, and it was interesting to watch him approach and try by all sorts of devices of his tail to see if the enemy were within. If he were walking past or around anything that he feared he kept his tail stretched at full length on the side of his body that was next the object— sometimes he held it many inches from himself. If something moved sud- denly in front of him as he ran, his tail shot over him away ahead of his nose, as if projected there by his sudden stop. But it was the natural instinct of thrusting his tail at anything threat- ening him too suddenly for flight. Much of his play at times was a kind of mock fright in which he seemed to imagine himself pursued by all kinds of enemies—even myself—and the most familiar objects becoming ter. rible. Then the use he made of his tail was most exaggerated, having in it perhaps some of the elements of ter- fifying the’ enemy;"as seen jin ‘the swelled tails of cats, the bristles of hogs, dogs, etc. One could not resist the impression that the tail was thrown out as a shield or a screen, but this did not always seem a satisfactory explanation, for it was certainly a very frail thing and very conspicuous. Besides, it would seem to furnish the enemy a good han- dle to catch hold of. The theory has been advanced that this last is the very purpose of this use of the tail; and from my study of this pet I became convinced that he thrust out his tail when suddenly surprised in the hope that z¢ might be takenand his body /eft. The skin on the tail of most rodents (of which the squirrel is one) slips easily from the bone, and leaves, to a grasping enemy, often a little bunch of “hide and hair.” So Bunny offers this—feeling that he would rather leave his tail in jeopardy and so into life whole otherwise. The glass- snake (a lizard) in its efforts to escape, frequently breaks off a portion of its tail, which the pursuing enemy may stop to capture while the body wriggles into safety. This, likewise, is doubtless one of the reasons why the squirrel insists upon the tail’s being always curled up over his back while he is absorbed in eating. It is not always merely a_ beautiful pose. As he thus sits in the trees his greatest enemies are the various large birds of prey which may dart down on him from above. Now, this mass of tail that is above him is apt to mislead the aim of the enemy, and, like the pioneer’s cap thrust around the tree, is intended to draw the fire into a harm- less medium. There can be no doubt that a squir- rel uses his tail to steer him in a leap, much as the tail steers the boy’s com- monkite. Perhaps, also, it acts slightly as a balance, but in this respect its greatest use must lie in its “up and down” rudder effect—or rather para- chute-like effect—as he makes those tremendous leaps from a tall treetop to the earth. Here it comes well into play in les- sening the shock of alighting, an emer- gency enabling him to escape some enemies—as a weasel or mink, perhaps —which may chase him around in the trees. The arrangement of the long hairs, projecting out sidewise on the bone, is strikingly like that of the feathers on the tail of the very earliest reptile-like birds which had long bony tails, used doubtless as the squirel’s, since they were down-sailers rather than up-flut- terers—if I may be allowed to so com- pound my words and ideas. Some other downward-leaping mammals have the hairs similarly arranged. An- other rodent, the anomalure, which flies down, as a flying-squirrel, by thin membranes, has special horny scales on the under side of its tail either to assist in climbing or to resist slipping down when a tree trunk is grasped. The squirrel’s tail, therefore, is a fac- tor of his safety, as well as a feature of his ornamentation. Another use which he makes of it is that when he “lies down to pleasant dreams”’ it forms “the drapery of his couch”—a coverlid for his head and body. 104 ‘OZIS-9JTT ™% ‘HUVH NAaHHLAON S$ SHNLYN THE NORTHERN PRAIRIE HARE. HIS is the most northern species of the group of hares (Lepus campestris), familiarly known in the United States as jack rab- + bits because of their large size and- enormous ears. They are lively ani- mals of astounding jumping powers. In America there is no such distinction between the term “hare” and “rabbit” as there is in Europe, where the large, long-eared, stout varieties, living in shallow “forms,” are named hares, and the smaller and more slender kind, which digs a deep burrow, is the ‘‘rab- bit.” In this country the authorities say that no well-defined distinction exists. Of the so-called jack rabbits the northern prairie hare here depicted may be taken as the type. It is one of the largest species of hares, measuring about twenty inches in length, and it has long, strong, and vigorous limbs, and such remarkably long ears that the popular name it bears is fully justified. This northern species is found on the western prairies from _ British America to Colorado. It undergoes a winter change of coat, becoming nearly white, but the blanching is never com- plete and russet streaks or patches re- main through the winter. of this animal are those of hares in general, and all the species Fnown as jack rabbits are famous for their great speed and for the astounding leaps they make in running. They are the most fleet and agile of American mam- mals. They are not much pursued for the reason that they are difficult to shoot, and their celerity of movement enables them to elude four-footed foes also. from the summer brown to the snowy- white coat of winter, the animal pre- sents a very singular mottled appear- ance. Hares are a very important article of commerce and, during the winter sea- son, tons of them are daily shipped to The habits | Pending the complete change | 107 the principal markets from all quarters. They are sold at cheap rates, and are frequently peddled about the streets by the cartload at surprisingly low figures. The methods of pursuit and capture of these animals are numerous, but the most common and successful are trail- ing in the snow with dogs, hounding, and coursing. To trail hares in the winter one must have dogs of keen scent and a light fall of from two to four inches of snow must have been deposited the night previous to an early morning start. Two or more hunters equipped with dogs and guns usually start together. Thickets of elder and blackberry are sought where the game is known to lie. The hunters skirt the border of a patch of these bushes and the dogs are sent in. The dogs soon drive the hares from cover when they become a ready mark for the gunners. Where the ground is rocky they will try to hide by running into any hole or crevice which may offer protection. In hounding hares the hunters are stationed at various points on the paths as the hares, like deer and foxes, follow regular beaten tracks. The hounds start the game from belts of pine, cedar, or hemlock. Each hunter waits for the animals to pass his station and fires at them as they go by at full run. It is considered no mean accomplish- ment to secure a hare under these cir- cumstances. Trapping and snaring are also methods of capturing jack rabbits. They are principally employed by pot hunters,and many people make it their sole business during the winter months. Greyhounds are used in coursing hares, but the jack rabbit frequently discom- fits both horse and hound. Hares do | not live in burrows, as is the case with the rabbit, but lie in a form in bush or thicket, a slight depression in the ground serving for a nest, or sometimes a hollow stump, or the under side of a ledge of rock is selected. The young, when born, are covered with hair, their eyes are open, and they are able almost immediately to support themselves. The rabbit, on the other hand, is born with closed eyes, and requires the con- stant attention of the mother for some time. The hares are not so prolific as the rabbits, the female bringing forth but. from’ three, to five young satsa litter, the rabbits bearing from five to eight. Hares generally feed at night, lying in their forms in some bush or copse during the greater part of the day; rab- bits, on the contrary, generally remain in the warmest corner of the burrow during the dark hours. The food of the hare consists of all kinds of vege- tables similar in nature to cabbage and turnips, which are favorite dainties with it; it is also especially fond of lettuce and parsley. The great speed of the hare in run- ning is chiefly due to the fact that the hind legs are longer than the fore. This is also the reason why it can run better up hill than down. Generally it utters a sound only when it sees itself in danger. This cry resembles that of a little child, being a shrill scream or squeak. Among the perceptive senses of the hare, hearing is best developed; the smell is fairly keen, but sight is rather deficient. Prudence and vigilance are its most prominent characteristics. The slightest noise—the wind rustling in the leaves, a falling leaf—suffices to excite its attention and awaken it from sleep. Dietrich Aus Dem Winckell says that the greatest vice of the hare is its mal- ice, not because it expresses it in biting and scratching, but because it often proves its disposition in the most re- volting manner, the female by denying her maternal love, and the male by his cruelty to the little leverets. It is said that captive hares are easily tamed, become readily used to all kinds of._nourishment usually fed to rabbits, but are very delicate and apt to die. If they are fed only on hay, bread, oats, and water, and never anything green, they live longer. A tame hare, in the possession of Mr. Fuchs in Wilden- 108 berg, which slept and ate with his dogs, ate vegetable tood only in default of meat—veal, pork, liver, and sausage causing it to go into such raptures that it would execute a regular dance to get at these dainties, Besides the flesh, which as food is justly esteemed, the fur of the hare is also put to account. The skin is deprived of its hair, tanned and used in the man- ufacture of shoes, of one kind of parch- ment, and of glue; the hair is used in the manufacture of felt. Mark Twain, in his ‘ Roughing It,” gives this humorous and characteristic description of the jack rabbit: “As the sun was going down, we saw the first specimen of an animal known familiarly over two thousand miles of mountain and desert—from Kansas clear to the Pacific ocean—as the ‘jack- ass-rabbit.’ He is well named. He is just like any other rabbit, except that he is from one-third to twice as large, has longer legs in proportion to his size, and has the most preposterous ears that ever were mounted on any creature but a jackass. When he is sitting quiet, thinking about his sins, or is absent-minded, or unapprehensive of danger, his majestic ears project above him conspicuously; but the breaking of a twig will scare him nearly to death, and then he tilts his ears back gently, and starts for home. All you can see then, for the next minute, is his long form stretched out straight, and ‘streak- ing it’ through the low sage-bushes, head erect, eyes right, and ears just canted to the rear, but showing you just where the animal is, just the same as. if he carried) a jib, ~Witen he ms frightened clear through, he lays his long ears down on his back, straightens himself out like a yardstick every spring he makes, and scatters miles be- hind him with an easy indifference that is enchanting. Our party made this specimen ‘hump himself.’ I commenced spitting at him with my weapon, and all at the same instant let go with a rattling crash. He frantically dropped his ears, Set_up~ histail, and sleftitonr San Francisco at lightning speed. Long after he was out of sight we could hear him whiz.” CoG, IMG DESTRUCTION OF BIRD LIFE. TEPS have been taken under the 5 direction of the New York zo- dlogical society to ascertain, as nearly as possible, to what ex- tent the destruction of bird life has been carried in this country and the re- sult of the investigation is given in its second annual report, recently pub- lished. Replies to questions on the subject were received from over two -hundred competent observers in the different states and territories, and the following table is believed to give a fair, certainly not exaggerated, idea of the loss of bird life within the past decade and a half. The following are the percentages of decrease throughout the states men- tioned, during the last fifteen years, ac- cording to the reports: EUUIEC I a Sas Om ease act 52 per cent. New. Hampshire. «32... 4. 32 pemcent. WAEHUNO TIL Biers alee ee eee 30 per cent. MASSACHUSETS, 2 = pac7 or) 27 Der Gent: Rhedevslandiy. sacs 60 per cent. Connecticut: ;.. 75, percent. NewiW ork}. snk cea 48 per cent. New Jersey.. _ 37° per cent: Pennsylvania. SI Esa SIRE 51 per cent. (©) Ea We a eee oe A ea 38 per cent. Indiana Aas hehe OO DeR Cen: IMNOIS Ets. See eos O 38 per cent. Witehiieaniss 30) .o's: eae: 28 per cent. Wisconsin... ot AO Per Genk Iowa .. . 37 per cent. MisS@uriet. fs atsaws oon ite 36 per cent. Nebraska'.