114 ^tnantn o( tf^t tRvttu 



say without vanity is the finest in the 

 land/' 



*' What of scarlet tanager ? '' piped some 

 one. 



** His dress is too gay and gaudy/' 

 croaked the chairman with decision. '' He 

 is loud and not refined. The grackle is 

 the only tasty dresser in the bird family. 

 But I think we have discussed these and 

 other topics quite fully, and I now declare 

 the meeting adjourned and I will lead 

 you for a martial flight. Now mind and 

 don't crowd, and wheel when I give the 

 word. Ready, fly." 



There was a whir of wings that made 

 the old elm fairly alive, as the black cloud 

 that cast a shadow on the ground rose in 

 air and flew away towards the meadow. 

 About twenty rods away they wheeled 

 suddenly to the right, and made for the 

 river, then they wheeled again and in 



