STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 835 



and in two of them the same results followed. 

 In the other the fresh clay was brought, but 

 there was no glow-worm. That the worm is 

 placed in the nest as food, is, I think, extremely 

 doubtful, from the fact of its being fixed in the 

 clay. That would seem to be a useless labor, 

 if it was to be used for such a purpose." 



What a great time the sparrows have in the 

 fall of the year, making preparations to go on 

 their southern journey. They seem to be very 

 fond of company. " The more the merrier," is 

 their motto. When the leaves of the forest 

 trees begin to fade, and the first frosts appear, 

 these little birds begin to assemble in flocks. 

 At first, you will see only a dozen or two 

 together. But the number rapidly increases 

 as the autumn advances. Before the weather 

 becomes very cold, hundreds join the party. 

 They seem to know, by the signs they discover 

 around them, that winter is coming; and so 

 they set themselves about the business of pre- 

 paring for it. 



Dear reader, these little birds show their 

 wisdom in this provision for the future. They 

 are taught that they cannot endure the cold 

 of a northern clime — that they cannot remain 

 where the ground is wrapped in a mantle of 

 snow. In the language of another, 



