A Birds' Bath 



LAST summer I dui^ a little pond, about two feet wide, five feet long 

 and two or three inches deep, back of our house. Into this I let the 

 hose flow very slightly, the surplus water being carried by a little 

 trench which ran from the pond down into the woods where the water sank 

 into the earth. All along the trench and pond weeds sprang up and, bend- 

 ing over, kept the place cool so that it offered a double attraction. 



The ne.xt day I made the pond about four times as big, and after that it 

 was as great an attraction to me as to the birds, and I would advise any one 

 who likes the birds around them to put out at least a shallow pan of water 

 which is changed four or five times a day. 



The elms and lindens in our neighborhood had been eaten terribly by 

 worms, but soon after I made the pond the worms began to decrease, as the 

 Orioles and Grosbeaks would go from the pond right into the trees and there 

 take their meals, making, as Mrs. Wright would say, 'very good Citizen 

 Birds, paying their taxes every day.' — Edmund B. Dibble, St. Paul, Minn. 



The Incredulous Veery 



Two hunters clianced one day to meet 



Near by a thicket wood ; 

 They paused each other there to greet, 



Both in a playful mood. 

 Said one, "I had to wade a stream. 



Now, this you must not doubt. 

 And when I reached the other shore 



My boots were full of trout." 



Whenjj! cried a Veery perched in view 



To hear if wliat they said were true. IVheifj! ! 



The other's whit was now well whet. 



Said he, "Let me narrate: 

 I bought three hundred traps and set 



For fur both small and great; 

 Now, when next morning came, behold. 



Each trap contained a skin; 

 And other disappointed game 



Stood waiting to get in." 



The astonished Veery whistled, Wheiv! 

 I hardly think tliat story true. Wheiu! !! 



— Fi.oRF.NCE A. Van Sant. 



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