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166 they were hard at work, when, to his infinite disappointment, it was found that the bees had made their escape through a small hole in the hive, leaving behind them only an unfortunate humble-bee, whose bulk prevented his squeezing himself through the aperture, and whose loud complaints had been mistaken for the busy hum of industry." You must patiently study the method of nature, and take advice of the under-steward in the establishment of all communities, both insect and human. Probably the bees could not make industry attractive under the circumstances described above.

A wise man will not go out of his way for information. He might as well go out of nature, or commit suicide.

March 18, 1853 The bluebird and song-sparrow sing immediately on their arrival, and hence deserve to enjoy some preeminence. They give expression to the joy which the season inspires, but the robin and blackbird only peep and tchuck at first, commonly, and the lark is silent and flitting. The bluebird at once fills the air with his sweet warbling, and the song-sparrow from the top of a rail pours forth his most joyous strain. Both express their delight at the weather, which permits them to return to their favorite haunts. They are the more welcome to man for it.