THE INSPIRING SPARROWS. 51 



minutes later, to see these same dead leaves come 

 back in the same fashion, and I realized that dead 

 leaves did not fly against the wind. I had before 

 me, without knowing it, a large flock of snow- 

 buntings. 



It is always a pleasant incident to meet with a 



Cross-bills. 



cross-bill. The bird will not prove remarkable in 

 any way, except that its motions are a little parrot- 

 like, which is not saying a word for gracefulness, as 

 parrots are more like monstrosities than birds, nor 

 will its chirp, twittering, or song, if one can call it 

 such, be at all inspiring ; and yet, because of the 



