"The mating song of the male reed-warbler," interrupted Brown ecstatically. "Now, whatever happens, don't let them be disturbed. Don't even try to find the nest, or you may alarm them. Leave it all to me. I shan't have a free morning till Saturday, but there's no hurry. I'll bring my camera round then, and when I've located the spot they're building in I'll rig up a hiding-place and take some photos. Don't let anybody go near them; the great thing is to make them feel quite at home." He was gone before I could explain. It is rather an awkward situation, because, when Brown comes on Saturday morning, I am afraid that if he secures any really successful photos they will prove a disappointment to him. They will represent my gardener, Williams, trundling a barrow, the wheel of which is badly in need of oil. * * * * * Tercentenarians. "It is one of the most marvellous of doubles that William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes died on the very same day of the same year--on the 23rd day of April, 1916." _The Leader (B.E. Africa)._ * * * * * ROYAL ACADEMY-FIRST DEPRESSIONS. [Illustration: Gerald Kelly. _The Bird_. "Lucky thing I'm stuffed or I'd have fallen off this perch long ago!"] [Illustration: Nurah Cundell. Women Workers on the land playing with their week's wages. Note the Physical Development Produced by the open-air life.] [Illustration: Robert Burns. The lady spy, having finished her performance of the hymn of hate, sets the signal lights and awaits confidently the arrival of the German fleet.] [Illustration: Sir E. J. Poynter, Bt., P.R.A. The shell-worker's mid-day rest.] [Illustration: W. Orpen, A.R.A. and A. S. Cope, R.A. _Lord Spencer._ "Not bad, but I fancy I take _The Tailor and Cutter's_ prize."] [Illustration: This is not in the Academy, but represents the Spirit of Allegory luring ambitious artists to their doom.] * * * * * "WHEN THE BOYS COME HOME." [Illustration: Many women who are taking over men's work may not feel inclined to return to their former occupations after the War. Their work in that case will have to be done by men. Ex-soldiers Waiting in the Consulting-boom of Their Panel Doctor To Be Treated for "housemaid's Knee."] [Illustration: Male nurse receiving the glad eye from a military man-killer.] * * * * * THE SOLDIER'S SPRING. On stormy days I get quite warlike; I find it easy to be fierce In winter, when the land is more like The Arctic Pole, with winds that pierce; With James for foe and all the meadows mired I feel in concord with the wildest plan, And grudge no effort that may be required To enfilade the man.