But how do they know when the stranger is coming? Ah! that is what has puzzled so many of us. Have you ever noticed in the winter the little slate-colored fellow with a white breast, who comes to us just before the snow season? It is Snowbird, of course. He, too, lives in the north, but not so far away as the white enemy. At the first sign of danger he hastens south to warn his friends. Then, remaining between the Woodfolk and the enemy, he keeps a close watch all winter. There can be little danger to the birds as long as Snowbird is there to warn them. But how cold it must be for him? Indeed, some folks say that is what has made his bill and feet so pink just as our hands and noses grow red from the cold. But he is courageous. He stands guard between his friends and the terrible white danger, even during the heaviest snows. So you see that it was not without reason that folks gave him the name, “Snowbird.” Few of the birds would brave the cold as he does. But when spring comes! How eager they all are to get back, for they know now that the enemy has fled to the far north. It is a race to see which of the Woodfolk will be the first to reach his northern home. Occasionally they arrive too early, Blackbird, Robin, and Bluebird first, of course, and then a warning from Snowbird sends them scurrying south again. The thought of the white spectre still terrifies them. But this does not often happen, and for the most part when we hear them exulting on their arrival we know that they are here to stay. Just listen how Blackbird chuckles as he passes over our heads, for he knows that he will be the first to get home. Kentucky-warbler is a very slow flyer, yet he dreads to be the last. His mind is always on his favorite feeding-place, and he fears that Blackbird will find it. That is why he calls after him, “Greedy! greedy! greedy!” And the white spirit? Oh, yes! That is only Snowy Owl. He lives in the far north and comes down to us only in the very cold weather, when snow covers the ground. When we see the great white fellow with his large yellow eyes, we can hardly wonder why the Woodfolk were so frightened. But the truth of it is that Snowy Owl, unless very hungry, would not harm the birds at all, for he lives mostly upon the small four-footed animals. What a pity it is that our birds leave us in the winter, some of them to go all the way to South America, just because of a superstitious fear for an arctic visitor who would not harm them if he could! If we could only explain to them, what a blessing it would be to both of us! WITH THE EDITOR As we look forward to the opening of school it is with feelings of a mixed nature. There is undoubtedly among some of us a lack of that ardor with which we hailed vacation. Nevertheless, none of us can fail to anticipate gladly the greeting of old friends and the return to that life which, though routine in its nature, will, in after years, be regarded as the brightest period of our existence.