378 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



ANSWERS TO PUZZLES liN THE NOVEMBER NUMBER. 



Numerical. Enigma. Thanksgiving Turkey. What is its name. 

 American Goldfinch. 



ROLL OF HONOR:— Julia H. Watts, Lexington, Texas; Dora 

 Shirrefs Elizabeth, New Jersey; Chas. H. Rodgers, New York City; 

 Marietta Washburn, Goodwin, S. D.; Ellora B. Mix, Stafford Springs, 

 Conn. ^ 



FROM OUR MAIL BAG. 



The principal places where I have studied birds this year are Central 

 Park, New York City; Leonia, N. J.; Brandon, Vt.; and Harrisville, 

 N. H. My list since January 1st, is 114 species, representing 29 fami- 

 lies, as follows: Warblers, 26; Finches, 19; Blackbirds, Orioles, etc., 7; 

 Flycatchers and Thrushes, 6 each; Hawks, Vireos and Swallows, 5 

 each; Woodpeckers and Wrens, 4 each; Herons, Titmice and Kinglets, 

 3 each; Goatsuckers, Crows and Jays, 2 each; and Gulls, Ducks, Vul- 

 tures, Swifts, Hummingbirds, Kingfishers, Cuckoos, Rails, Sandpipers, 

 Grouse, Starlings, Tanagers, Waxwings and Creepers, one each. I 

 have seen a number of partial albino English Sparrows in New York. 

 If only a few feathers are white they are generally in the wings or 

 tail. I have also seen a robin with a white feather in its wing, and 

 several times a male Black-throated Blue Warbler with a white edge 

 to the shoulder. Among the many gray squirrels in Central Park is a 

 pure black one, Chas H. Rodgers, Age 14. 



A GRUMBLER'S FATE. 



Dacky Sponsa lived with his mother and eleven little sisters and 

 brothers near a beautiful clear lake. Their house was of oak and al- 

 though there was but one room, there was ample space for Mrs. Wood 

 Duck and her children. The Wood Duck preferred to spend all his 

 time out of doors, seeking food, or standing guard on a limb not far 

 away from the snug home. 



The one room of the cottage was ceiled with oak, the carpet was of 

 weeds and grass, and there was a feather bed for the babies, of the 

 softest down, which the mother had taken from her own white vest. 



From the round doorway could be seen the blue waters of the lake, 

 and wooded slopes now charming in the tender greens of early Spring, 

 In spite of the beautiful surroundings, Ducky Sponsa was not happy, 

 for with birds, as well with boys and girls, it is not what we have that 

 makes us happy, but what we are, and I am sorry to say that a very 

 discontented little heart beat beneath the downy breast of this little bird. 



Though he was not yet twenty-four hours old, he grumbled because 



