SPKING ARRIVAL OF THE BIRDS. 23 



rounclings. Elegant in form and graceful in motion, 

 with a plumage of soft, rich groundwork delicately 

 tinted with brighter hues, these birds well harmonize 

 with the fruits and flowers with which they are so often 

 associated, for, although usually insectivorous, they eat 

 more or less of ripe cherries, and also petals of blossoms, 

 especially those of the red maple and hawthorn. They 

 call attention to their presence by a faint lisping note 

 unlike that of any other bird. They also indulge in a 

 little warble so low as seldom to be noticed, except by 

 the attentive ear. These pretty creatures are very gen- 

 tle and affectionate among themselves, going about in 

 little flocks and caressing and feeding one another like 

 the turtle doves. If one of a pair is caught the other 

 will allow itself to be taken also, rather than leave its 

 imprisoned mate. These birds were formerly plentiful 

 and very tame, but, to a great extent, they have shared 

 the fate of so many others of bright plumage. 



The present general discussion of this subject must 

 necessarily eventuate in wiser dealings with these 

 friends and better protection of them. Sensible women 

 are quite generally discarding these unbecoming deco- 

 rations. A change in public sentiment is apparent. A 

 conversation I recently overheard between two little 

 girls on the subject was a hopeful sign and worth 

 noting. A sweet-faced little nine-year-old girl, seeing 

 one of these ornaments on the hat of her companion, 

 asked her why she wore it. " O ! it is so pretty," she 

 answered; "but," said the first, "would it not be much 

 prettier alive, in a tree where it could sing?" 



