AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



231 



111 CHATS*™ 



FlIIlilQS 



Address communications for this department to 



Meg Merrythought, 156 Waterville Street, 

 Waterbury, Ct. 



My Dear Young Folks : 



We continue to receive inquiries about Junior membership in the 

 Audubon Society. As I am but a local Connecticut secretary I can 

 only send you the Connecticut badge, but I will send the address of 

 your State secretary to any of you who wish it. 



We were interested last week in watching Jenny Wren and her eight 

 little brown babies. She was carrying a choice morsel to them, (an 

 insect which seemed a very large mouthful for so tiny a bird,) when 

 Madam Pussy Cat strolled by and cast admiring glances toward Mis- 

 tress Jenny. Such a scolding ! Jenny relaxed her hold but an instant, 

 but her prey darted away without waiting for a second chance. Then 

 Jenny flew to a tree some distance from her nest, and by her vigorous 

 chatterings lured pussy's attention from her helpless infants towards 

 herself. 



No one who watches the birds trying to fill with good things — four, 

 eight, and even ten gaping mouths, will doubt that these happy carol- 

 ing birds lead a strenuous life. 



Then too, the bird-land tragedies are many, perils from other birds, 

 from squirrels, snakes, storms, and boys. I think August must be their 

 vacation month, spent quietly in the leafy recesses. Then their gowns 

 are freshened, ready for a long journey into the Southland. 



Do you suppose that the young who make the journey for the first 

 time this year, look with wonder on the strange scenes, and will they 

 return and tell us all about it next spring ? 



Cordially, Yonr Friend, 



Meg Merrythought. 



