160 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



Shrikes in all parts of the city. They do not mind anything about us, 

 but sit perfectly still upon a high pole or fence watching for their prey. 

 There is small chance for the grasshopper, snake or lizard which shows 

 its head for Mr. L. Shrike has very keen eyes and pounces down upon 

 his victim quick as a flash, and either feasts upon it at once or hangs it 

 up in his pantry for a future meal. Thursday we go a little further 

 south. Bob will write before we start. 



Your loving sister, 



Ruth. 



GLEANINGS. 



Such is the story of the Bobolink: Once spiritual, musical, admired, 

 the joy of the meadows, and the favorite bird of spring: Finally a 

 gross little sensationalist who expiates his sensuality in the larder. 

 His story contains a moral, worthy the attention of all little birds and 

 little boys; warning them to keep those refined and intellectual pursuits 

 which raised him to so high a pitch of popularity during the early part 

 of his career; but to eschew all tendency to that gross and dissipated 

 indulgence which brought this mistaken little bird to an untimely end. 



Washington Irving. 



JUNE BABIES, 



Have you ever found a bird's nest 



In the meadow low, 

 With five baby Bob o' Lincolns, 



Feathers yet to grow ? 



From your window in the morning 



Have you looked to see, 

 Five grave quiet little Phoebes 



In an apple tree ? 



Have you seen the blue-gray birdlings 



Far above the ground, 

 Dainty nest and limb for perches 



Mother hov'ring round? 



On the bank beside the river 



Have you watched them try, 

 Four young gray and speckled Bluebirds, 



Stretch their wings to fly ? 



If you have not, then directly 



Open wide your eyes 

 And you'll find in field and tree top 



Many a surprise. Emily P. Sherman. 



