ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. 



[This department of Our Journal is one of its most 

 interesting, as well as valuable features. Amusement, 

 instruction, mental improvement, and all the Social 

 Virtues, are here concentred. Whether the subjects 

 introduced be on Natural History, Popular Science, 

 Domes-tic Economy, the Fine Arts, or Matters of General 

 Interest, — all are carefully digested, and placed before 

 our readers in the winning garb of cheerfulness, good- 

 temper, and a determination to please. Our amiable 

 correspondents enter readily into our naturally-playful 

 disposition, — hence are their contributions divested of 

 that dry formality which cannot be other than repulsive 

 to a ti ue lover of N ature. Our columns, be it observed, 

 are open to all amiable writers.] 



Notes on the Blue-headed Tit-mouse. — Knowing 

 what very great favorites (or rather what very 

 great little favorites) the blue-caps (Parus cozru- 

 leus) are with you and your readers, I record in 

 the pages of Our own Journal some of my obser- 

 vations on the habits of their race. You are 

 quite right as to the situations they generally 

 choose for their nests, but there are exceptions to 

 be met with. You know the large fir tree on our 

 lawn. Well; in that very tree have I found, at 

 different times, no fewer than three nests. Master 

 Tom did not, however, build in a hole or chink. 

 No. In every instance, the nest was immediately 

 beneath a branch, — nearly at its extremity. The 

 first I espied, made me tremble for its safety. 

 The branch on which it was built projected over 

 the garden path ; and was so near the ground, 

 that the fear of its being discovered caused me 

 much anxiety. However, so cunningly was it 

 concealed from the view of passers-by, that the 

 parents contrived to carry off a " happy little 

 family" in perfect safety. The second nest was 

 also constructed in this tree ; and fortunately at too 

 high an elevation for the cruelty of men and boys 

 to reach it. Another " happy family" were 

 safely brought out of this snug abode. Pretty 

 little creatures ! How rejoiced we all were to 

 note the perfect happiness of the papa and 

 mamma, whilst their tiny darlings were prac- 

 tising all sorts of the most diverting tricks. 

 The third nest, I discovered on the 8th of 

 August, 1852. I remember it was on the Sunday 

 previous to your coming down to us. Had the 

 rain not fallen so heavily, it was my intention to 

 have called your particular attention to it, whilst 

 we were in the garden. How very artfully Master 

 Tom had concealed his whereabout ! No stranger 

 to his peculiar habits could ever have " wormed 

 out" his secret. Oh — no ! But you know 1 am of 

 a sex that is naturally " curious ; " and a girl 

 not readily to be baffled when my heart is set 

 upon any particular object [Quite right, — Puss-y.l 

 So, — my suspicion being awakened, I watched 

 Master Tom carefully, and fairly dodged him in 

 and out of the tree ; till we seemed to understand 

 each other. When he knew that he was out- 

 witted, — all was quite right. Then did I pre- 

 sume on our acquaintance, — or rather friendship. 

 Perched upon a table, and provided with a garden- 

 rake, I drew gently down a certain branch, 

 bearing a lovely burden. What a snug little 

 palace was there built upon that branch ! And 

 now, — seven beautiful little heads met my gaze, 

 — all packed in a space inconceivably small. Of 

 course every member of our family wanted a sight ! 

 To gratify them, I removed one of the nestlings. 



It was more than half fledged, and could flutter 

 to the distance of two or three yards. I then 

 carefully replaced it. The best remains to be 

 told. Master Tom and his wee wi'ey were 

 looking on all the time, — evidently pleased, and 

 proud of the notice taken of their children ! I 

 imagine the cause of these birds instinctively 

 building beneath a branch, to originate in their 

 fear of the Magpies, — for whom they entertain 

 the greatest aversion ; and at the sight of whom 

 they raise a peculiar note or cry of alarm. I 

 agree with you, and your correspondents, that 

 Master Tom does not build in the laurestinus, 

 although he delights in hiding himself among 

 their leaves. I shall have some very curious sites 

 of nests (chosen during the last season) to show 

 you, when you come down again. They will form 

 an interesting theme for comment in future num- 

 bers of Our Journal. — Puss. 



[Thank you, — Pussy. The little facts you have 

 here brought under notice are particularly inter- 

 esting. They will doubtless elicit more pleasing 

 anecdotes of this garden-pet. We have a host of 

 them domesticated with us. The murderous guns 

 of our neighbors, right and left, drive them to us 

 as to a sanctuary. They instinctively feel they 

 are " at home."] 



Snow Pancakes.- — At the present season, when 

 eggs are scarce and snow plentiful, I think we 

 ought all to try a dish of these cheap luxuries. 

 I call them "luxuries," for such they really are. 

 Away with eggs ! say I. Snow beats them 

 hollow. It is better and cheaper. Experto crede. 

 But how are they made ? Listen. Mix your 

 batter with the usual quantity of milk and flour ; 

 and for each (imagined) egg, put in two table- 

 spoonfuls of snow, heaped up, — pyramid fashion. 

 Stir the whole well ; and then proceed as in the 

 ordinary way. Great care must of course be taken 

 in frying them ; and when fried, — only think of the 

 treat !— C. F. T. Y. _ 



[Thanks — gentle Sir. Pancakes have ever been 

 our delight from infancy, and we have often 

 marvelled " why" Shrove Tuesday should not be 

 kept all the year round. Well ; it is again near 

 at hand ; and let us hope that snow is as near. 

 We vow — and our vow is sacred — that the first 

 gathering of snow we can collect shall speedily 

 be heard hissing in combination with lemon (we 

 love lemon), in our domestic frying-pan. We will 

 lunch at home, — dine at home, — sup at home ; 

 and make our. ; elf a pattern of good-nature the 

 livelong day. If the treat be what we anticipate, 

 we will gladly "report progress; and ask leave to 

 — sit again."] 



More of the Domestic Cat. — " Still harping on 

 my daughter ! " Well ; let the truth be told. Out- 

 feline friends, among their other short- comings, are 

 often too, with justice, taxed with being savage 

 murderers of pet birds. Many a cat has hung 

 from a branch, or gone over a bridge with a ropo 

 and a stone, after being caught crouching beside 

 an empty and open cage with fatal yellow feathers 

 strewed around ; while in the cases of milder 

 masters or mistresses, many a bitter tear has pro- 

 bably been shed over the mangled remains of 

 "poor Goldy, who would eat out of your hand ; " 

 or " poor Bully, who piped so beautifully the 



