Martinmas to Ladyday 
spire or kecksie was simply lovely with its tiny white tufts 
on every branchlet, while especially pretty were the bushes 
of syringa, like feathers. 
The birds are hopping about, looking puffed and bored. 
A plateful of scraps put out by the door was soon sur- 
rounded, a robin, of course, leading the way with inquisitive 
boldness. I spent ever so long yesterday at the window 
watching the birds. They sat on the area railing, with 
beady eyes fixed on the window-sill. After I had put crumbs 
on it they came, at first shyly, then more boldly, dear 
feathered beggars ; it was curious how selfish they were. 
A thrush was eating and another thrush came, and he flew 
at the newcomer and drove him away. Meantime a poor 
little wretch of a ragged tiny tit, a veritable woodland 
tramp to look at, humbly crept up and snatched a hurried 
bite. Two sparrows fought so furiously over a large crumb 
they lost their balance and fell together in the snow, which 
sobered them. Altogether my would-be pensioners are 
most amusing and most varied. I had visits from robins, 
thrushes, starlings, blackbirds, tits, a green lintie, a chaf- 
finch, and of course sparrows. Indeed, I was told, if I 
continued to offer hospitality, I should have all the birds of 
the Borderland a-begging. It is really the victory of 
strength and impudence. But, alas, the house-cat some- 
times brings about a tragedy : as one time, Puss, who 
thought such a congress of birds interesting, came round 
the corner and darted on a robin, coolly bringing it to me 
as an offering ; but, seeing he was not going to be praised, 
Puss retired and disposed of his victim under the laurels. 
Among the regular pensioners I noticed a most wretched- 
looking blackbird, whose head, being almost entirely bald 
gives him a most curiously aged look. 
John says he is afflicted with a disease that comes of 
over indulgence in beechmast, reckoned a delicacy by 
blackbirds (and by some children too) ! Poor Mr. Black- 
bird ! I heard of a white blackbird being seen somewhere 
near here lately. I should like to have seen it. There is, 
or was, some French chateau held by the presentation, once 
