AUTUMN 75 



ish sparrow, seen at a glance to be like my 

 bird of nine clays before, — like him in 

 looks, but not in behavior. He conducted 

 himself in the most accommodating manner, 

 was fidl of curiosity, not in the least shy, 

 and afforded me every opportunity to look 

 him over to my heart's content. 



In the midst of it all I heard my com- 

 rade's footfall on the piazza, and gave him 

 a whistle. He came at once, wading through 

 the wet grass in his slippers. He knew from 

 my attitude — so he firmly declared after- 

 ward — that it was a Lincoln finch I was 

 gazing at ! And just as he drew near, the 

 sparrow, sitting in full view and facing us, 

 in a way to show off his peculiar marks 

 to the best advantage, uttered a single 

 cheej)^ thoroughly distinctive, or at least 

 quite unlike any sparrow's note with which 

 I am familiar ; as characteristic, I should 

 say, as the song sparrow's tut. Then he 

 dropped to the ground. " Yes, I saw him, 

 and heard the note," my companion said; 

 and he hastened into the house for his boots 

 and his opera-glass. In a few minutes he 

 was back again, fully equipped, and we set 



