a Pi 2 GRAY LADY AND THE BIRDS 
In England they may be seen on the great open plains follow- 
ing the sheep as they feed, very much as the Cowbird follows our 
cattle, and in that country are very beneficial as insect destroyers. 
“They are birds that will feed at the lunch-counter in 
winter, for their food supply is cut off by snow, and, as 
strangers, they have not yet the resources of the Crows 
and Jays, neither are they as hardy. 
“Boys, Jacob is ready for you in the workroom, and 
he may keep you till quarter-past ten. I do not think 
that you will really accomplish much to-day, except to 
choose the kind of house you wish to make, and plan out 
your work. Then you may all take a fifteen-minutes’ 
recess in the orchard before you come up for the bird 
lesson.” 
“What birds are you going to tell about to-day? I 
hope that they won’t be hat birds and Martyrs,” said 
Eliza Clausen, with a sigh. 
“No, not ‘hat birds’ this morning, although there are 
plenty more of them, and always will be so long as people 
insist upon wearing the feathers in their hats. I had 
not quite decided what birds to take up next, but the re- 
cess in the orchard gives me a new idea. Instead of 
taking the birds in any set order, when you come in you 
shall tell me what birds you have noticed this morning. 
By this means we shall be able to take the birds as they 
come with the seasons, and they will never grow tiresome. 
Then, too, if, between times, you see any birds that you 
cannot name, or about which you wish to know, remember 
to tell me, and we will try to learn something about the 
bird while it is fresh in your memory. 
“Now,” as the boys went to the workroom, ‘the girl 
