202 Wisconsin State Horticultueal Society. 



having a soul, perhaps from the many tales and legends that have 

 been told of his wonderful deeds in past ages. The Robin comes 

 soon after the Bluebird, and remains usually until the last of 

 October. During the warm winter of 1877 they did not leave us 

 for the south untd the last of December, and returned the 1st of 

 February. 



The Blackbird is probably not a favorite with any of us, but 

 we should not wholly condemn him, for he has a mission to per- 

 form and he does it well. He destroys myriads of insects during 

 the summer season. I have seen a Blackbird catch more than a 

 hundred spiders in five minutes. He is a social bird, in fact, 

 keeps up a constant chatter with his companions. He is, I be- 

 lieve, the only polygamist among our northern birds. The golden 

 black plumage is often most beautiful. The Blackbird comes 

 early in the spring, and leaves in immense flocks about the middle 

 of October. 



Of sparrows we have several varieties ; they are among our 

 earliest visitants. The Chipping Sparrow or Hair Bird is well 

 known to us all. Its only song is chip, chip, which it repeats 

 from morning until night. It is so familiar that we can nearly 

 approach it when on the ground. But if we venture near enough 

 to the shrub or tree to view the beautiful speckled eggs when the 

 old ones ate near, the nest is deserted and the eggs destroyed. It 

 gives us plainly to understand that its domestic affairs must not 

 be interfered with. It is a courageous little bird, and will fight 

 sometimes to its death. 



No bird is more closely associated with my early childhood 

 than the little Song Sparrow. How well I remember that sweet, 

 religious song, as I heard it on the banks of a river those years 

 ago; and I never hear it now without having aroused within me 

 the deepest feelings of exultation and delight. The notes are 

 clear, liquid and sweet ; sometimes the song will be exactly the 

 same for hundreds of times; then will begin variations so numer- 

 ous that we can with difficulty believe the small bird capable of 

 such changes. The male and female dress alike, in plain russet 

 and gray, which does not change during the season. 



The White-Throated Sparrow calls upon us for two or three 



