AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 345 



FASHION'S FANCIES. 



Last June there gathered in a glen 



Not many miles away, 

 A host of birds from every clime. 



Who chirped and sang all day. 



Was it a Guild? A Womans Club? 



A Mother's Meeting? No. 

 Nor did they meet to arbitrate 



Nor grand degrees bestow. 



The Father-birds in Council met, 



For what, you'd never guess. 

 They met — the fashions to discuss. 



And latest styles of dress. 



For Scribe, there came from Africa, 



A Secretary bird. 

 The Chairman was a Snowy Owl, 



Serene, what e'er occurred. 



A pert young Wren made the first speech. 



He talked so fast and bold. 

 You would ne'er think to hear him speak 



His wife was such a scold. 



"I think," said he, "for all round wear. 



For country, or for town. 

 For concert, feast, or common use. 



There's naught so good as brozvn.'" 



A Partridge, Sparrow, and a Hawk, 



Wood-thrush, and Robert White, 

 With one accord, loudly exclaimed, 



"Sir Christopher is right." 



''Our colors are more cheerful though. 



Made of condensed sunshine," 

 Sang Yellow Warbler from a bush 



"Your sentiments are mine." 



Sang Goldfinch, who was eating seeds, 



"But velvet trimmings add," 

 "Yes," echoed back a Chickade 



"Black velvet is not bad." 



A Blue Jay screamed till he was hoarse, 



"All gowns should be of blue, 

 I, with Bluebird, in azure robes. 



Reflect the heaven's bright hue." 



