142 THROUGH LIBRARY WINDOWS 



neat and in its way a model. My garden 

 would lose one of its best attractions if my 

 Song Sparrow would leave it ; he will not, I am 

 sure, because I pet him and he appreciates it. 



I wish everybody knew the Goldfinch or Yel- 

 low bird. He is such a happy fellow, his gen- 

 tle ways and sweet disposition are splendid 

 antidotes for despondency and discontent. One 

 cannot watch a flock of these birds without an 

 impression of their personal refinement and 

 decorous behavior in each other's presence. 

 They are never rough and never fight. They 

 are so contented, and their song is so sweet and 

 rich in tone and tender in quality; "Hear me — 

 Hear me-dearie," is their call to each other as 

 they feed so quietly among weeds and thistles 

 and birch buds and dandelions and sunflowers. 

 No matter how poor the picking, they are hap- 

 py. The meal finished, and away they dash 

 into the air, merrily and softly singing their 

 "per-chic-o-ree, per-chic-o-ree." What a grace- 

 ful, undulating swing in their flight, so har- 

 monious and billowy. The sight is always beau- 

 tiful. They go in small flocks, having no 

 leader, often intermingling with similar flocks. 

 They are the happiest bird hereabouts, and 

 are always welcome. There is a goodly flock 

 of thirty that come into our garden twice a day. 



