308 AMERIOAN ORNITHOLOGY 



NUMERICAL ENIGMA, 



One day 9-10-1 looked up the 13-6-5-4-2-6 and saw a 1-10-10-5 feeding 

 on the 6-7-9-8-4-5 grass by the roadside, 6-7-9 minutes later it bounded 

 away out of sight. 9-10-1 told 6-7-8 what he had 13-4-7-9 but 6-7-8 

 smiled, and 13-9-7-7-5-2-1 at his story, 7-5-7 night. 6-7-8 also saw the 

 1-10-10-5 and he did not 5-4-3-12 until he had asked 9-10-1-3 pardon for 

 doubting his word. He gave him two 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 9-10-11-12-13 

 which he found hanging on a 6-5-4-2 by his house. 



WHAT BIRD IS THIS? 



We come to you in a time of cold, floating down in great flocks as if 

 we came from the snow clouds. Our plumage at this season, is of the 

 softest browns and whites. Our outer tail feathers are white, our 

 wings are banded with white. We wear chestnut necklaces across our 

 white bosoms, and have buffy crowns and sides. We resemble fluffy 

 chickens as we zca/k about on the ground. 



GLEANINGS. 



The Kittiwakes. 



Like white feathers blown about the rocks, 



Like soft snowflakes wavering in the air, 

 Wheel the Kittiwakes in scattered flocks. 



Crying, floating, fluttering everywhere. 



Shapes of snow and cloud, they soar and whirl. 

 Downy breasts that shine like lilies white; 



Delicate vaporous tints of gray and pearl. 

 Laid upon their arching wings so white. 



Celia Thaxter. 





