All nature seemed to have reached maturity, and the restless activity of spring was forgotten.

The birds were now calm and sober enough.

The cocks and hens sat peacefully side by side, no advances were made or encouraged.
Love-making, with all its follies, was at an end for that year.

Only the curious dragon-flies, with their four long wings and taper bodies, were still busy with their love-dances over the pond.

August had been so rainy and windy that they seemed anxious to make the most of the still autumn evening.