140 BIRDS THROUGH AN OPERA-GLASS. 
becomes inhabitants of No. 4, hopping about pick- 
ing up seeds. 
Another day they and some white-throats were 
by the side of the barn eating grain scattered at 
the threshing. Not content with what they could 
find there, some of them flew up on the sill of a 
small window, hopped along, and actually disap- 
peared in the dark barn. 
As the weather grew colder they came, as they 
do every spring and fall, to see what they could 
find to eat by the side of the house. Here, where 
they find only friends, they raise their heads with 
quiet curiosity when you approach, and seem 
notably gentle, trustful birds; but it is said that 
they show much caution as well as intelligence in 
eluding their enemies, and are among the most 
difficult birds to snare. 
XL. 
KINGLETS. 
Do you know these dainty little birds that visit 
us twice a year? Some bright September morn- 
ing you wake up and find them flitting about the 
apple-trees, and know that fall has come. But 
they tell you the fact in such a breezy, cheery way 
that you remember only how glad you are to see 
them. In April they are back just long enough 
to sing out “ How do you do?” and then are off 
for the north so that summer shan’t catch them. 
