364 THE STORY OF A BIRD LOVER 



and some babbling thrushes from that country. 

 Meadow-larks form an entertaining group as they 

 stroll about the floor examining with apparent 

 curiosity and interest every blade of grass of 

 the fresh turf supplied daily. Song-sparrows 

 find congenial shelter in thickets, and blue jays, 

 as well as green jays from Mexico, add to the 

 vivacity of the scene. Cardinals and rose- 

 breasted grosbeaks, as well as their relative, the 

 blue grosbeak, are all represented. Mocking- 

 birds, catbirds, and thrashers fly from one tree to 

 another in the room (for it is large enough to 

 have some six or eight small trees reaching from 

 the floor to the ceiling) and seem to be as full of 

 life and song and interest in affairs, as though 

 out of doors. Here is a robin with a nest in the 

 corner setting on her eggs, or a pair perhaps 

 feeding young. In a calabash gourd at another 

 point bluebirds find a place they like for breed- 

 ing. It is a heterogeneous company, and the 

 picture is at first confusing, both as to motion and 

 sound. As one becomes accustomed to the scene, 

 new details present themselves. A plover finds 

 to his liking the vicinity of the shallow water-tank 

 which serves as brook or pond for these birds, 

 and rails peep out of the grass, or run nimbly 

 from one tussock to another, pausing on the way 

 to inspect the attractions of the feed dishes. 

 Many of these birds have been in captivity for 



