i8o5^ J Morris, Letter of Edward Harris. 7.2^ 



time with the tail, which goes rhythmically up and down. 

 Several more of the Longbills come into sight but only one of 

 the little Shortbills has the courage to show its streaked head 

 above the sheltering flags. 



Since we advanced through the high marsh-grass, many small 

 birds have jumped out, not exactly from under our feet, but 

 within two or three yards, and after a short, nervous flight, in 

 which they alternately spread and fold the pointed tail-feathers, 

 sink down and out of sight among the wavy yellow blades. 

 Although the flight is short, a quick and practised eye can 

 catch the yellow hue of neck and head and, together with its 

 diminutive size, we know him well, — it is our friend the Leconte 

 Sparrow. But presently we shall be treated to a novel sight. 

 Five of the beautiful creatures adorn the leafless branches of 

 a little hawthorn tree, eight feet in height and raising its head 

 only a few feet above the tips of the surrounding grasses. A 

 sixth one comes up to take a seat ; it is now their time to take 

 an airing and a sunning, the only hour of the day when they 

 remain thus exposed to view for any length of time. We pass 

 a few more of these isolated thorn-trees, standing in line like 

 sentinels along the slough, as if to keep the flags from 

 piarching upon the domain of the grasses. Each one has at 

 this hour a small contingent of Lecontes, who after paying a 

 visit to the watery region of the flags return to dry and preen 

 upon the branches. But our hour is over. 



NOTES AND EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER OF 

 EDWARD HARRIS. 



BY GEORGE SPENCER MORRIS.^ 



Incidents connected with the lives of the great naturalists of 

 a past generation must always be of interest to those who seek to 

 follow in their footsteps in after years. 



' Read before the Delaware Ornithological Club. 



