234 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



As the T. AI. watched the cheery little fellow darting hither and 

 thither in a low evergreen, examining every nook for insects for lunch, 

 flirting wings and tail constantly, and peering out saucily at them, a 

 bright scarlet spot appeared where a moment before was an ashen 

 crown. In an instant the flaming vision had disappeared, and it seem- 

 ed to the astonished T. M. impossible that such a blazing crown could 

 be so perfectly concealed beneath the smooth head dress of the bird 

 now dancing so merrily in the uppermost branches. But there was no^ 

 mistake, again and again, glimpses of the flashing red were seen 

 against the green foliage. "Oh, if he would only come down on that 

 branch right before us and let us see this magical transformation,"' 

 sighed one of the T. M. The fairy above them evidently heard this, 

 for down he flew immediately before his delighted friend, and calling 

 "see, see, see," with a polite nod, raised his grey cap, and again the 

 the red head was revealed in its glory. With another bow he darted 

 away to a tall tree, and sang, and sang, a clear melodious warble, to- 

 which the T. M. listened enchanted. 



Who will give the name of this gem of a morning's outing? 



GLEANINGS, 



From blossom-clouded orchards, far away 



The bobolink twinkled, 

 June's bridesman, poet o' the year, 

 Gladness on wings, the bobolink is here! 

 Half hid in tip-top apple bloom he sings. 

 Or climbs against the breeze with quiverin' wings. 

 Or givin' way to mock despair, 

 Runs down, a brook o' laughter, thro the air. 



Lowell. 



The little bird sits at his door in the sun, 



A tilt like a blossom among the leaves, 



And lets his illumined being o'er run 



With the deluge of summer it receives; 



His mate feels the eggs bcineath her wings. 



And the heart in her dumb breast flutters and sings. 



He sincrs to the wide world, and she to her nest. 



In thj nice ear of Nature which song is the best? 



Lowell. 



