26 AUTUMN NOTES IN IOWA 



with heavy, noisy flight, with bold chattering very 

 different from the traditional British reserve. The 

 bluebirds approached in family flock to dip and 

 flutter in the shallow water, delighted certainly and 

 apparently grateful. A social sparrow — no stran- 

 ger to our lawn in days of the nesting period — 

 ventured a very close approach to the observer. 

 Near at hand, what a tiny creature he seemed, and 

 of what sane and practical character. There was 

 surely slight trace of sentiment in the expression 

 of his eyes, in his pantomime, or in that energetic 

 sally after a providential moth. A goldfinch or 

 two, already in sedate fall plumage, cheeped busily 

 about. A flicker, of heroic size in comparison with 

 his comrades, closed undulatory flight at the ren- 

 dezvous, balanced himself for a moment on the rim 

 of the dish, took one drink, and departed without 

 uttering a syllable. He has his long flexible tongue 

 well under control — on occasion. While the 

 smaller birds lingered at their bath, suddenly from 

 a little distance came the harsh cries of a blue jay, 

 and all the merry company flashed to sheltering 

 trees across the street. 



September in this prairie country is a month of 

 variable character as to temperature. Last year, 

 in Olmsted County, Minnesota, the month was un- 

 usually cold. On the seventh a fire was needed 

 for comfort, indoors ; on the twelfth we wore over- 

 coats even at active work along the line; on the 



