AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 285 



of the houses provided for other birds, are untidy, quarrelsome, thiev- 

 ish, and even murderers. 



A pair of English Sparrows in this neighborhood lost a good friend 

 a few weeks ago, when they were seen to enter a Bluebird's box and 

 bring out and kill the four young Bluebirds. 



However, we are sorry to see the boys with air rifles destroying the 

 little scamps, for oftentimes they are maimed, and the broken wing or 

 leg causes suffering for a long lime. Then too, many a bright hued 

 bird has lost its mate through the carelessness, which mistook her for 

 "only a sparrow." It is possible too, that all the little folks may not 

 be familiar with a score of others of the sparrow tribe, whose habits 

 and songs make them most desirable friends. We give a list of some 

 birds in brown plumage which might be mistaken for this little Eng- 

 lish Sparrow. You will have to supply the vowels, as in some mys- 

 terious manner they have disappeared from the type. Sparrows: — 

 Chppng. Fid. Fx. Grsshppr. pswch. Svnn. Ssd. Shrptld. Sng. 

 Swmp' Tr. Vspr. Whtcrwud. Wht-thrtd. Also the Gldfnch in winter 

 dress, the females of the Bblnk, the Rd-wngd-Blckbrd, the Rd-pll, Prpl- 

 fnch, ndg bntng, and the Grsbks. 



A WALK IN JULY. 



What a beautiful day! Now that Old Mother Nature (but in her gay 

 attire she looks quite young and girlish) is arrayed in her prettiest 

 garments, let us take a walk and admire them. Hush! what a beautiful 

 Blue Jay just flew down to the walk in front of us, took a step and in a 

 minute he was gone. Who would think that that bird with such 

 gorgeous plumage could be so treacherous to his bird neighbors, but 

 who are mostly all his enemies. See those dainty little asters, just the 

 least bit tinted with blue. I will pick a few of them, while you pluck 

 for your bouquet some of that — now what is the real name of this pretty 

 yellow and orange flower — well call it the old fashioned name of butter 

 and eggs. I am going to break ofif some of this tansy and pink and 

 white clover, — why what makes you laugh? You think it is too com- 

 mon to pick? Ah! no, they are just as beautiful to me even though 

 they are so common. Well, well, see that bold little English Sparrow 

 bathing in the pool of water; now see him trying to dry himself in the 

 dust. 



It seems rather queer to me to go and dirty oneself just after 

 getting clean. Torn your stocking in the blackberry vine. No. 

 Thats good. Hark! Do you hear that Catbird imitating our pussy at 

 home? I'd like to have him come out of his hiding place, but as he is 



