58 WESTERN SERIES OF READERS. 



Song-sparrows seem never to know when they 

 have a beakful. We have seen them go on pick- 

 ing up the same grubs that have fallen out of 

 their mouths over and over again. And we laugh, 

 as who could help it! 



Our song-sparrows nest two or three times, 

 from April to July. Then comes a sorry time for 

 the old birds. They begin their yearly molt. 

 They seem to know how droll they look, and keep 

 well out of sight in the bushes. When they ven- 

 ture out for food, you will notice how ragged 

 their feathers are, and how half-dressed they ap- 

 pear. Still, they chirp cheerily, as if sure of a 

 new suit in good time. And when the new suit 

 is all done, some time in September, it will be all 

 dots and dashes, like buttons, and lace edging, 

 and brown and white ribbons. 



The song-sparrow seems fitted to be a school- 

 house-bird, because it is always on hand when 

 school keeps. A pile of tree-cuttings under the 

 window, and branches of any bush or shrub, 

 would make just the shelter they love. The spar- 

 rows do not slip under boards or behind boxes 

 and barrels when they are startled. They like 

 partial shelter like the twigs, so they may see out 

 between the sticks and foliage and look around 

 without being seen themselves. You might try 



