So the day passed, a continual surprise party, and the next day came, and still the flock lingered. But when the rain ceased, and the sun reappeared, they lifted their wings and hastened to pastures new, leaving only a straggler here and there. Will a spring rain this year find them passing over my apple trees? So may it be. Grace E. Harlow. RURAL RAMBLES. Over the hills as the pewee flies, ’Neath the glorious blue of summer skies; Through briery wastes where wild birds dwell, Deep in the shade of some rocky dell; Where the pennyroyal and mint smell sweet, And the blackberry ripens in cool and heat; Down the winding path by the rippling rill, By the old-time creek, by the dear old mill; By the vine-clad fence, in the alder’s shade Where woodchucks and merry squirrels invade; Through spreading fields of daisies bright, Where butterflies roam from morn till night; Past upland and hollow whence scents are blown Of clover blossoms and flowers well known; Over swamp and marshland where red-wings sing, While in flag and tussock their nest they swing; Through ancient orchards, o’er meadows green, Where roses and buttercups girt the stream; Away through the woodlands’ emerald shade By sparkling springs, through fern-clad glade, By old quarry ponds where memories cling And gay swallows circle on tireless wing; From dawn’s early light till twilight’s gloaming, With scenes ever changing, there’s pleasure in roaming. —Berton Mercer. [Illustration: THE DOMESTIC HORSE. (Equus caballus.) ADAPTED FROM A PAINTING.] THE HORSE. (_Equus caballus._) There are many objects which are so commonly seen that we deceive ourselves by thinking we know much about them, and yet should we make a special study of these same objects, often we would find ourselves woefully ignorant in regard to some of their most distinguishing characteristics. Every day of our lives we see Horses. These frequently move with exquisite grace and beauty, stepping daintily and proudly as if hardly deigning to remain on earth, but seeming just ready to rise and fly as did the fabled winged horse Pegasus. With rapidly moving feet “The landscape speeds far away behind Like an ocean driven before the wind,”