DIAMOND SPARROW. CUT-THROAT SPARROW 



"The birds around me hopped and played : 



Their thoughts I cannot measure ; 

 But the least motion which they made, 

 It seemed a thrill of pleasure." 



WORDSWORTH. 



DIAMONDS, emeralds, and sapphires are beautiful 

 gems ; but the living gems, the beautiful little crea- 

 tures known as finches, far outshine them. I can 

 never forget the day that I first saw these darlings. 

 America is the home of the humming bird and lovely 

 nonpareil ; Europe sends us her loved songsters : but 

 to Africa, India, Asia, Australia, and Japan are we 

 indebted for the dear, sweet, lovely, little creatures, 

 marvels of beauty that they are, known under the 

 name, somewhat arbitrarily applied, of African 

 finches, and Japanese nuns. 

 (106) 



