AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



14» 



BIRD CHATS WITH OUR YOUNG FRIENDS. 

 Address communications to Meg Merrythought, 156 Waterville St.„ 

 Waterbury, Ct. 



My Dear Young Folks: 



Your vacation good times are almost here, but this is the season when, 

 the birds are busy from morning to night finding food for the hungry- 

 nestlings. 



If any of you have ever tried to feed a young captive Robin, you 

 have a faint idea of the task of mother and father Robins in caring for 

 several broods during the summer. The mouths always seem to be 

 stretched for more, vw)-e. 



I saw a Robin carrying worms to little ones the third week in April,, 

 and wondered how many families he would raise in his dobe house. 

 He must have begun plastering before — "chinks in April's windy dome 

 let through a day in June," and before May came doubtless he was- 

 April fooled." 



A little later in the branches above Robin's nest, two Brown Thrashers- 

 sang a rollicking duet, for hours, with heads up, tails drooping, not 

 two feet apart, each trying, so it seemed, to out do the other. 



Now, the favored listener will hear but the soft love song by the nest 

 — the sweetest song of all. 



However, there are a few birds who sing merrily on through the 

 summer's heat, who among you will tell me their names? 



We would again remind you to send the replies also with puzzles you 

 wish to have printed in our corner. 



Cordially, your friend, 



Meg Merrythought. 



