32 BIRD PARADISE 



as they go to and fro in the trees and hedgerows. 

 They are socially inclined, for I rarely see them 

 unless they are in company with not only their 

 own kind, but with the members of other sparrow 

 species. That slate-colored coat of theirs reflects 

 the sunbeams handsomely, while the genial man- 

 ners of the species mark them as creatures of 

 good breeding. A little later they will hie away 

 to the South, turning their backs on snow and 

 cold. When I want the best of bird manners I 

 am sure of finding them among the j uncos. 



At this point in writing these notes I glance 

 from the window and there a few feet away is a 

 red squirrel busy with duties which he takes 

 great pleasure in discharging at this season of the 

 year. Evidently he had his eye on part of an 

 apple that lay temptingly on the ground a few 

 feet from the foot of the tree. It was a real les- 

 son in squirrel athletics to see him whirling down 

 the trunk of the tree and returning in the same 

 manner. The morsel he secured was conveyed to 

 an old summer nest of his, far up among the 

 branches. There at his leisure he made a feast 

 that he gave every evidence of enjoying with real 

 zest. I suppose the pair that dwell on my emi- 

 nent domain have a supply of food laid up that 

 will serve them nicely for at least two winters. 



