198 



A COUNTRY READER. 



Have you ever noticed the colouring of birds 

 in the spring, when they are at their brightest ? 

 If you have not, well then just notice it. It will 

 reward you for your trouble. 





HOUSE SPARROWS. 



The colour of a flower is beautiful, but the 

 colour of a bird seems to transcend it, probably 

 because life pulses stronger through the body 

 of a bird than it does through the shape of a 

 flower. 



The sparkling gem son a three-year-old starling's 

 back ; the red brown tinge of the hedge sparrow ; 

 the red of a robin's breast ; the bright yellow of 



