"He was a man after all." Hawthorne might have exclaimed of him, too, "his Maker's own truest image, a philanthropic man! not that steel engine of the devil's contrivance--a philanthropist!"--_A. P. Russell's Library Notes._ * * * * * Robins in the tree-tops, Blossoms in the grass; Green things a-growing Everywhere you pass; Sudden little breezes, Showers of silver dew; Black bough and bent twig Budding out anew; Pine tree and willow tree, Fringed elm and larch, Don't you think that May-time's Pleasanter than March? --_T. B. Aldrich._ [Illustration: RING-NECKED DOVE. 1/2 Life-size. FROM COL. CHI. ACAD. SCIENCES. COPYRIGHT 1900, BY A. W. MUMFORD, CHICAGO.] RING-NECKED DOVE. (_Zenaidura macroura_.) The popular names for this favorite bird are turtle dove, common dove, and Carolina dove. It is an inhabitant of all of temperate North America to a little north of the United States boundary, south through Mexico and Central America to the Isthmus of Panama, Cuba, Jamaica, and some other West Indian islands. The species have even been known to winter as far north as Canada, Mr. John J. Morley, of Windsor, Ontario, informing Professor Baird that he had seen considerable numbers near that place on the 6th of December, 1878, and that he had on other occasions seen it in various places, from three to twelve at a time. It is a common summer resident in Illinois. The majority arrive the last of March or first of April, and depart by the middle of October. In many places it becomes partly domesticated, breeding in the trees in the yard and showing but little fear when approached. THE RING-NECKED DOVE. All day throughout the sunny sky, All other sounds above, As, breathing sweet tranquillity, Sweet voices of the dove Have rung the oft-recurring note, A constant vow of love. Thus its dear mate to ever cheer, As, still together, near they fly, A distant echo, faint, yet clear, Quick falling now so strangely near When sunshine gladdens earth and sky. But cold doth blow the dreary wind, Or clouds arise, and float above, With shadows darkening light of day; No echo then from greeting love, But, deep in quiet nest secure, For sunshine's cheer awaits the dove. Oh, dove! Oh, love! forever bright, Like sunny skies your life appears, And songs of joy your hearts delight. If storms or shadows dark affright, My love endures and conquers fears! SOME EARLY RISERS.