1884 .] 
AMEElOAi^ AGEIOtrLTTJEIST. 
263 
Some Interesting Birds. 
The Hoopoe (figure 1), is a native of Afriea, and 
migrates to the continent of Europe in summer, and 
is occasionally met with in England. It is about as 
large as the Thrush ; its long, slender bill covers a 
tongue which is forked at the tip and can be great¬ 
ly extended ; this it uses to extract the nectar from 
flowers. The plumage is very handsome, being 
variegated with rich brown and purple, black and 
white. Upon the head is a crest of feathers, 
which the bird can erect at will; the feathers of 
this are orange-colored, fading to nearly white with 
black at the tips. The note of the bird is like 
hoop, hoop, repeated several times in a low, soft 
tone; it is this note that gives the bird its common 
name. The male Hoopoe also produces instrumental 
music ; it first draws in air and by tapping the end 
of its beak down a peculiar sound is given out. 
The Lyre-Bird (fig. 2), of New South Wales, is 
the size of a pheasant, and is remarkable for the 
length and form of its tail. Twelve tail-feathers 
have long and slender shafts with the barbs very 
far apart. The two central feathers have a plume 
on only one side; the outer two are longer and 
broader than the others, and so curved that the 
two form a figure like the outline of an ancient 
lyre. The general colors are brown and black, 
with reddish spots on the two broad feathers of the 
taU. It is very shy, hiding among the brush. 
The Lyre-bird has a pleasing song, and is said to 
imitate other birds ; it is by far the largest song¬ 
bird known. 
The cocks are quite war-like; one traveller 
states that, hearing a great noise, he cautious¬ 
ly crawled along to learn the cause, and dis¬ 
covered about one hundred and fifty magnificent 
Lyre cocks “ ranged in order of battle and fighting 
with indescribable fury.” The Lyre-bird is un¬ 
usually large for a song-bird, and it presents 
another exception to the usual rule among birds. 
Songsters are generally very plain birds ; they rely 
upon their voice to make them attractive and do 
Fig. 2.— THE LYRE-BIRD. 
not need showy plumage. This bird is doubly 
provided, having a rich voice and fine feathers. 
pectations. While but a few could get a prize, 
every one who sent a list has done me good service. 
The shorter lists which did not take a prize, 
and if for no other reason, you should have noth¬ 
ing to do with them. American boys and girls 
should be too sensible to think that making a 
Fig. 1.— THE HOOPOE. 
promise to be as useful to me as the longer ones, 
and every one who has sent one of a kind, small or 
large, has my most hearty thanks. There are many 
weeds about which I wish to ask questions,andmany 
of you will receive applications during the season, 
and I do not doubt that all of you will gladly aid me. 
GETTING BEADY FOB THE FOURTH. 
Every youngster knows that there is but one 
Fourth deserving of being called “The Fourth,” 
and that is the day following the third of July, of¬ 
ten called “ The day before the Fourth.” I assume 
that every American boy, if he is any sort of a boy, 
will celebrate the Fourth. Celebrating, with many 
boys, consists in not doing those things they do on 
other days, or in doing someibing not done on 
other days. The usual result is, very tired boys. 
As there is of course to be a celebration, the way to 
make it a good one is given below. 
BEGIN TO GET BEADY NOW. 
“ It’s too early,” do you say ? I say “ not a day 
too soon.” In my youngster days, I had much to 
do with celebrations of various kinds ; excursions, 
pic-nics, and other affairs which brought many peo¬ 
ple together. In my experience I found that those 
celebrations were most successful and enjoyable, 
for which there had been, what boys sometimes 
call “a good ready.” Besides, there is often as 
much enjoyment in preparing for a good time as 
there is in the time itself. 
The Fourth of July is our one, only really grand 
national holiday, and it should be made the most 
of, not only by every boy and girl in the great 
American Agriculturist family, but by all others in 
the land. The greatest enjoyment of the day can¬ 
not be had unless “ ways and means ” are well con¬ 
sidered, and the plans thought over beforehand. 
THE DAY MUST BE CELEBRATED,—BUT HOW? 
Boys in cities and villages often begin to save up 
their money, months in advance, to buy fire-crack¬ 
ers for the Fourth. Not only crackers, but pistols, 
guns, and even cannon are used to make a noise 
and disturb people who like quiet. Why fire-crack¬ 
ers, those spiteful little snappers, should be used 
to celebrate the great American Holiday, I could 
never discover. They are employed in the religious 
services of the “ Heathen Chinee,” and should be 
left to their proper use. Besides they are dangerous. 
noise, a smoke and a smell, is the best way of cele¬ 
brating the anniversary of the greatest day in the 
world’s modern history. By far the best way at 
least for boys and girls in the country, is to have 
a neighborhood celebration. 
Such things do not start them¬ 
selves. Let some boy ask 
two or three others to join 
him, and arrange all the 
plans. A most sensible cele¬ 
bration is a Fourth of July 
Pic-nie, to which each one 
brings his or her own pro¬ 
visions. The first point to de¬ 
cide is, the place for the pic¬ 
nic. A grove is best, at any 
rate let it be a pleasant spot. 
Having selected the place, 
invite all the youngsters in 
the neighborhood, taking 
care that not one is over¬ 
looked. Let it be understood 
that older people will be wel¬ 
come. Some of the boys 
should see to putting the 
ground in order, moving away 
the brush and clearing off the 
rubbish ; others should take 
charge of providing swings ; 
every other preparation 
should be assigned to some 
one, and not be left until the 
last day. The object of the 
celebration being for every 
one to have a good time, the 
exercises should not be long 
or formal. The most impor¬ 
tant should be the reading of 
THE DECLARATION OF 
INDEPENDENCE. 
This gives the reasons for 
regarding the day as above all 
other days, and every boy and 
girl should read it, or hear it 
read, at least once a year. 
Select the reader well before¬ 
hand—one who can read distinctly, and he should 
rehearse his part beforehand. The Doctor. 
