At the present time Calamus is no longer extensively employed in medicine. It is considered as a stimulating, aromatic and bitter tonic. It is perhaps true that its value as a tonic is at present somewhat underestimated by the medical profession. It is also serviceable in flatulent colic, and in what is designated as atonic dyspepsia. It is added to other medicines, either as a corrective, or adjuvant. Albert Schneider. THE BIRDS. They are swaying in the marshes, They are swinging in the glen, Where the cat-tails air their brushes In the zephyrs of the fen; In the swamp’s deserted tangle, Where the reed-grass whets its scythes; In the dismal, creepy quagmire, Where the snake-gourd twists and writhes. They are singing in arroyos, Where the cactus mails its breast, Where the Spanish bayonet glistens On the steep bank’s rocky crest; In the cañon, where the cascade Sets its pearls in maiden-hair, Where the hay and holly beckon Valley sun and mountain air. They are nesting in the elbow Of the scrub-oak’s knotty arm, In the gray mesh of the sage-brush, In the wheat-fields of the farm; In the banks along the sea beach, In the vine above my door, In the outstretched clumsy fingers Of the mottled sycamore. While the church-bell rings its discourse They are sitting on the spires; Song and anthem, psalm and carol Quaver as from mystic lyres. Everywhere they flirt and flutter, Mate and nest in shrub and tree. Charmed, I wander yon and hither, While their beauties ravish me, Till my musings sing like thrushes, And my heart is like a nest, Softly lined with tender fancies Plucked from Nature’s mother-breast. —Elizabeth Grinnell, in “Birds of Song and Story.” Transcriber’s Notes --Created an eBook cover from elements within the issue. --Reconstructed the Table of Contents (originally on each issue’s cover). --Retained copyright notice on the original book (this eBook is public-domain in the country of publication.) --Silently corrected a few palpable typos. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Birds and Nature Vol. 11 No. 4 [April 1902], by Various