[Illustration: BLACK COHOSH. (Cimicifuga racemosa.) ARROW HEAD. (Sagittaria latifolia.) FROM “NATURE’S GARDEN” COPYRIGHT 1900, BY DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY.] Someone has said that the Black Cohosh “may truly be classed among those objects which, from the standpoint of frail humanity, distance lends enchantment.” Though this be true, may we not say with Wordsworth, To me the meanest flower that blows can give Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears. THE VEERIE. Darkness descends in shadowy folds Over the distant hills; the breeze Shivers and stirs in the leafy trees, And a single star beholds. The brook murmurs low in the tangled copse, The jewel-weed stands with its feet in the stream, By my lantern light the dew-drops gleam On the leaves like diamond drops. And lo! like the shuddering wind-stirred leaves, Like the trembling weed where the waters glide, A voice from the depths where the wood-birds hide Its thrilling melody weaves. What shakes the harp-strings in thy throat? Is it joy or woe? Is it love or fear? The mystery of the woods I hear In the passion of your note. Do you cry, Woe! Woe! Do you cry, Rejoice! Joy and sorrow no longer twain, Hope and despair in one wild strain, And the night has found a voice. —Isabella T. M. Blake. THE SPRING MIGRATION. II. IN CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI. In the former article under this title attention was paid to the warblers only. In the present one I will try to give you some idea of the other birds that in spring take part in this general movement northward. A few birds that cannot properly be classed among the winter residents visit us now and then on warm summery days in January and February; they may be called the advance guard of the great army of migration. Conspicuous among these are the bluebird and the hermit thrush, two birds closely related, but very different both in coloring and disposition. The bluebird is one of the first birds to be learned by the country children; his bright colors, cheerful music and affectionate, trusting disposition make him a general favorite. Right here permit me to digress enough to say that too little encouragement is given the children of our public schools, especially in the country, to learn the names and habits of our common birds. A little time and effort judiciously expended by the teacher in guiding the pupils to an understanding and love of the bird life about them would be an investment paying large dividends in quickened perceptions and increased interest in the too often dull and distasteful round of school work.