LYRISTS OF A SUBURB. 



Until some attention has been paid to the mat- 

 ter, one would scarcely believe how many birds 

 may be seen and studied to advantage in the sub- 

 urbs of a town. It has been my happy lot to live 

 in such a suburb for several years, with a stretch 

 of commons back of the house, several clover-fields 

 not far away, and a large oak-grove within half a 

 block. My feathered fellow-tenants have been a 

 perennial source of delight to me. How they have 

 sung and prattled, pouring liquid melody from 

 their warm hearts ! It is for the purpose of incit- 

 ing others to a most delightful study — one that 

 many persons can pursue at their very doors — 

 that I shall briefly sketcli some of my observations 

 on bird-ways in this suburb. 



It is needless to say that the English sparrows 

 thrive here, making their usual tumult, and put- 

 ting on their big, patronizing airs, as they do 

 everywhere ; yet they have not crowded out all 

 our pleasant native birds. One may still sit in 



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