AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



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Address communications for this department to 



Meg Merrythought, 156 Waterville Street, 

 Waterbury, Ct. 



Dear Young Folks: 



Some of you have asked about an Audubon Society for children. 

 Anyone under the age of eighteen years, by signing the pledge given 

 below, may become an Associate Member of the Society and receive 

 the Audubon button. By signing the pledge and sending a dime to 

 the treasurer they may become Junior Members, and receive the Aud- 

 ubon button and also certificate of membership. This is the pledge: 

 "I promise not to harm our birds or their eggs, and to protect our 

 birds whenever I am able." I think the birds would carol special songs 

 of thanksgiving if all the boys and girls would make this promise and 

 keep it. 



Two of our little friends write of some partial Albinos which they 

 have seen. There are many strange freaks of color in the dress of 

 birds, some of them due to the fact that most of our birds of bright 

 plumage wear quiet gowns like the mother bird until the second or 

 third summer, when they don the gay colors. Several years ago I saw 

 a beautiful group of six Scarlet Tanagers, and watched them taking 

 baths in a clear pool in the woods. The coat of one of the number was 

 in process of changing, and a curious looking bird he was. His wing 

 and tail feathers were an olive green like the female, and instead of 

 the scarlet feathers, the rest of his plumage was a very peculiar red, 

 a kind of composite strawberry, brick and Indian red. He did not 

 seem to be conscious of any difference between himself and his fel- 

 lows, but splashed the water about as merrily as the rest. 



Thank you for the many kind words for the magazine and this cor- 

 ner. Cordially Your Friend, 



Meg Merrythought. 



