OUR COUNTRY HOME 



My Line-a-Day Book always lies on the library table ready for 

 reference or the entertainment of an idle moment. Although it 

 has no illustrations it does not lack for pictures. I open it at 

 random. 



April 26 It was a still, cold morning without a breath of 

 \vind. Not a twig stirred, and the lake was like glass; the song- 

 sparrows poured forth their joy in the sunlit air, while a chorus of 

 clear, musical, rhythmic whistles greeted my waking ears. What 

 bird was it ? This was a new song. I searched the branches and 

 favorite perches from my open window. To be sure the white- 

 throated sparrows were hopping about the terraces unconcernedly 

 eating their breakfast of oats and chopped peanuts with the juncos. 

 Could they be the songsters ? Yes, there on the swaying rose- 

 stem was one of the beautifully marked little creatures; I shall 

 not soon forget my sensations as he looked straight into my eyes 

 while he opened his tiny beak and deliberately sang me on 3 of his 

 choicest bits. 



April 30 To find the first song-sparrow's nest in the long 

 grass ! One confiding specimen built in some straw left overnight 

 close to the garden walk. The straw containing that nest was 

 carefully walked around and thoughtfully guarded against all 

 intrusion for weeks, until four small song-sparrows were able to fly 

 off in safety. 



May 2 On either side of our hooded entrance are small 



shelves, exactly the right size for a good home. No right-minded 



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