Sparrow, Vesper. Bay-Winged Bunting 

 The Vesper Sparrow 



It comes from childhood's land, 

 Where summer days are long 



And summer eves are bland, — 

 A lulling good-night song. 



Upon a pasture stone, 



Against the fading west, 

 A small bird sings alone. 



Then dives and finds his nest. 



The evening star has heard, 



And flutters into sight; 

 O childhood's vesper-bird. 



My heart calls back, good-night. 



Edith M. Thomas 



SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED 



Sometimes one of these distinguished-looking birds 

 will be discovered in a flock of white-throats. You can 

 tell him from his cousins at a glance, because he has not 

 theVhite patch under his chin. His crown serves still 

 further to distinguish him. It is as striking as a soldier's 

 cap. Moreover he attracts attention by his general bearing 



which is unmistakably that of an aristocrat 



Mr. Burroughs is enthusiastic over the white-crown. He 

 says: "He is the rarest and most beautiful of the sparrow 

 kind. He is crowned as some hero or victor in the games. " 



Florence A. Merriam. Birds of Village and Field. ^ 



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