OUR HOME BIRDS. 
295 
pleased, and some union-housekeeping arrangement 
had probably been entered into. 
“ They were a regular colony of sparrows who had 
taken possession of this snug winter residence ; and 
I never saw a busier or happier collection of birds. 
After this I looked for them every day, and when I 
did not see them I was very sure to hear them. So, 
you see, I had a private aviary close to my window.” 
“ I wish we had honeysuckle full of sparrows,” 
said Clara, “so that Edie and I could see them 
every day.” 
“ They’ll learn to come here if we feed ’em — won’t 
they, Miss Harson ?” asked Malcolm. 
When they were assured of this the little Kyles 
almost began wishing for snow in August, that they 
might have the pleasure of feeding the birds. But 
the season did not hurry on any faster. 
“Listen,” said Miss Harson, “and I will read you 
a very pretty account of providing for these little 
winter-guests in Norway. After relating the vari- 
ous preparations for Christmas, it says : ‘ Even the 
birds are to have their share of the Christmas joy. 
As soon as the church-bells have “ rung in the feast,” 
at five o’clock in the afternoon of Christmas Eve the 
father of the house takes his richest sheaf of oats or 
barley and attaches it to the end of a pole, which is 
nailed to the gable of the barn or storehouse. The 
