recovery of growth in the ivy, they are begin- 

 ning to return to their old home. 



I lovcQ md encourage all birds except sparrows, 

 who haivb-'to tie: Suppressed so that they may 

 np't esf abl jsh,- tfre r hionopcly they hold in so many 

 places 'where 'they settle, to the exclusion of more 

 attractive species. The garden abounds with 

 thrushes, blackbirds, starlings, robins, linnets, 

 chaffinches, bullfinches, tits, and wrens, and in 

 the proper season the air is vibrant with the 

 song of nightingales and the soft amorous coo- 

 ing of doves. In winter the blackbirds and 

 thrushes are the most sociable, and the blue tits 

 revel in a beech close to the southeast corner 

 of the house, its branches being hung like a 

 Christmas-tree with tallow candles and half 

 coconuts * for their special delectation. The 

 robins, of course, become very tame and friendly 

 from the interested motives which, alas! only 

 too often lie at the root of friendly advances. I 

 do not, like some, however, apostrophize these 

 dainty little feathered friends as " sneaks " be- 



* I spell this word without an "a" as it has nothing to do with 

 Theobroma cacao." 



