xv LETTERS TO MARCO 99 



outbuildings if desirable, making what use he 

 can of the garden, its trees and sheds ; but 

 all the starling's affection is for his own com- 

 rades, and this seems to last all the year 

 round. Tomtits are the happiest little birds 

 imaginable, and frequent man's neighbour- 

 hood freely ; too busy and active to think of 

 life and its troubles, their little livers are never 

 out of order, and as they have few enemies, 

 they flit from branch to branch, any side up 

 and upside down, generally in pairs, chirping 

 their little shrill song all the while ; this little 

 song, I have no doubt, is to signal to their 

 mates their whereabouts. You may see all 

 these birds very close in the winter if you 

 feed them, but it is very sad to think that the 

 robin is the only one which really cares for 

 your friendship. 



I hope to see you on the ist, and don't 

 forget to bring " Grandpapa Marco and his 



baby," 1 I must have it. 



G. D. L. 



1 A photograph of Mr. Marks with his first grandchild on his lap. 



