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AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



address all communications to 

 Meg Merrythought 

 156 Waterville St., Waterbury, Ct. 



My Dear Young Folks: — 



This is a great country of ours. I began to write something about the 

 birds which are swinging on the weed stalks above the snow banks, cheerily 

 calling a "Happy New Year to you," in spite of the sharp pinches which 

 Jack Frost is giving them, then I was reminded that some of our young folks 

 are at that moment listeneing to the Mocking Birds and watching the sallies 

 of the Loggerhead Shrike, as he darts after his prej^. It reminds me again 

 of Longfellow's lines, "Tis always morning somewhere, and above the awak- 

 ening continents, from shore to shore, somewhere the birds are singing 

 evermore." 



But wherever this may find you — in New England's crisp, bracing winter 

 air, or among roses and sweet singers in warm lands, we send you each one 

 the same greetings — Best wishes to every one of our boys and girls for a 

 Happy New Year. 



Cordially your friend, 



Meg Merryehought. 



A Barrelful of Troglodytes aedon. 



In a certain oak, but a stone's throw from the veranda, Jack nailed a tiny 

 brown barrel but eight inches in diameter. In the head of the barrel was a 

 bung hole not quite as large as a silver quarter, which you found in the toe 

 of your stocking on Christmas morning. 



