AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY 



119 



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address all communications to 

 Meg Merrythought 

 156 Waterville St., Waterbury, Ct. 



My Dear Young Folks: — 



Gladsome May is here, more charming than eYer, and Dame Nature 

 wears her prettiest gown, and the most delightful concerts are a daily oc- 

 currence. Examinations, promotions and graduations close at hand, fill the 

 thoughts of many of our boys and girls, but you will be unable to resist the 

 charm of home choosing and making among the birds, I am sure, and will 

 spend many pleasant moments in watching the courtship and home building 

 about you. 



Will Robin come back to his old nest this year? Will the AVood Thrush, 

 with the two extra notes to his song, return to the ravine? Shall we find the 

 Maryland Yellowthroat nesting in the thicket near the great oak, and the 

 pair of song sparrows which have not failed us for three summers, nest in 

 the garden again? 



We must take the time to greet these and many other returning friends, 

 with the babies of last year who now match in size the veriest patriarch of 

 them all. 



We are glad to welcome and give our protection to each of them. Don't 

 you think that Maryland Yellowthroat has too conservative a name? Surely 

 some of the other states has as strong a claim on him as "My Maryland," 

 and many of our ornithologists call him the Northern Yellowthroat, which 

 seems to me a better name for him. What do you think about it? 



Cordially your friend, 



Meg Merrythought. 



