M V FEA THERED LAD F. 
stop, but an end comes to all things ; let the parting suggestion 
be, that there would be less need for the outcry against the cruel 
thoughtlessness of our bird-wearing womenkind, did they make 
friends of, instead of personal adornment of, the birds. A quota- 
tion from the late Richard Jefferies forms a fitting close to this 
chat about birds ; he is speaking of an arable field in autumn, 
with a design of birds’ feet on it. “ For fifty or sixty yards the 
path was worked with an inextricable design ; it was a pity to 
step on it and blot out the design of those little feet. Their 
hearts so happy, their eyes so observant, the earth so bountiful 
to them, with its supply of food, and the late warmth of the 
autumn sun lighting up their life. They know and feel the 
different loveliness of the seasons as much as we do. Every one 
must have noticed their joyousness in spring; they are quiet, but 
so very very busy in the height of summer ; as autumn comes 
on they obviously delight in the occasional hours of warmth. 
The marks of their little feet are almost sacred, a joyous life 
has been there — do not obliterate it. It is so delightful to 
know that something is happy.” 
Chagfovd, S. Devon. Helen J. Ormerod. 
MY FEATHERED LADY. 
Where’er of old my Lady went 
All art, all nature seemed to be 
Attuned in soft accompaniment 
To sing her praise to me. 
With her all gentleness would move ; 
Her smile was life, her look was love. 
Within her bonnet shone the rose, 
A lily sheltered at her breast. 
But now where’er my Lady goes 
No human heart can rest ; 
The very stones beneath her feet 
Cry “ Murder ! Murder ! ” down the street. 
For in her bonnet is the plume 
That waves above her head, to tell 
She has, within her soul, no room 
For Pity’s self to dwell ; 
That she can see, unmoved of pain. 
Homes plundered, babes and mothers slain. 
Lo ! in the hall of dance and song. 
The maiden, clad with snowy grace ; 
No more she glides like light along. 
How changed and slow her pace ; 
Knee-deep she seems to wade through death 
Of white-winged creatures cast beneath ! 
