certain insects which might otherwise be- only swamps, and so have very little, if 



come abundant and spread from the any, economic value." Its vegetable food 



swamp to farm lands. In the examina- consists almost entirely of the seeds of 



tion of seventy-two stomachs, he found sedges and other swamp plants, 



that forty-seven per cent, of the con- This beautiful, gentle and harmless lit- 



tents consisted of animal matter, nearly tie Sparrow may then be looked upon as 



all insects, and that the remainder was beneficial to man, for it does not take 



chiefly seeds. "Although many of the from him that which is of value, and it 



insects eaten by the Swamp Sparrow be- adds by its happy and sprightly ways and 



long to families generally classed as in- attractiveness to an otherwise dreary re- 



jurious or beneficial, yet the particular gion. 

 species taken are mainly such as inhabit 



THE HILL ROAD. 



Though beautiful the valley roads 



That wind along the river, 

 Where vine grown walls and hedges green 



In glowing sunlight quiver ; 



Though picturesque the woodland ways, 



Cool byways, all deserted, 

 Where fresh with fragrant brake and fern 



The darksome trail is skirted ; 



Though fair and fine all other paths, 



One road there is that's calling 

 Far louder than those quiet ways 



Where peace and calm are falling. 



The hilltop road that meets the sky 



And leads us boldly faring 

 Against the very roof of things, 



Is breeding thoughts of daring. 



Oh, roam you roads that suit your will, 



My wander loving rover, 

 But when you'd know the life that's real, 



Just tramp the hill road over. 



— Frank Farrington. 





