AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



45 



f(.q.K.(L<iil 



address all communications to 

 '/ Meg Merrythought 



156 Waterville St., Waterbury, Ct. 



My Dear Young Folks: 



My little friend Anna has asked me to tell you about the visitors — clad in 

 black and white feathers — which come to her every winter. 



Anna lives in a country village, where she has few neighbors, and this pair 

 of Downy Woodpeckers have helped many lonely hours to pass happily. As 

 soon as the first cool days of fall are here, she places various kinds of food 

 which the birds like upon the sill and in a box fastened by the side of a sunny 



window. 



For several years Mr. and Mrs. Downy Woodpecker have picnicked by 

 the window daily all winter long. Anna talks to them and they seem to un- 

 derstand English and talk back in their own limited language, and even peck 

 on the glass when her red lips are pressed against the window pane. 



Other birds come and go. Chickadees, Tree Sparrows, and Hairy Wood- 

 peckers, but Mr. and Mrs. Downy are loyal friends and can be depended 

 upon day in and day out to call for their daily rations, saying "Thank you,'* 

 between bites. 



Next month Hans will tell you, perhaps, of his strange pet. Who else 

 among our boys and girls will tell us of their successes, (or failures) in tam- 

 ing the birds about them .^ 



Cordially your friend, 



Meg Merrythought. 



