RAMBLE I. 



ROUND ABOUT THE HOMESTEADS, THE HIGH- 

 WAYS, AND THE ROCKS. 



OUR first ramble may be not inaptly devoted to 

 the common birds that dwell around and on our 

 houses, and that hop about the highways near 

 them. Even in such homely spots ornithological 

 study may be pursued with pleasure and with 

 advantage the economy of the birds that dwell 

 in such close companionship with us is by no 

 means completely known, much remains to be 

 discovered. These half-domesticated birds are 

 also endeared to us by old associations ; they are 

 the friends of our childhood, and the daily com- 

 panions of more mature years. Their merry 

 notes, their glad, sweet songs, their comings and 

 their goings, their ways at this season and at 

 that, their trustfulness, and their attachment to our 

 dwelling-places, all help to endow them with no 

 ordinary interest. 



Undoubtedly the one bird most intimately 

 associated with our houses and highways is the 

 SPARROW (Passer domestica). Even while I write commonly 

 these words the little brown rascals just outside dl! 

 the window are chirping notes of confirmation, and, 



