made its appearance near their homes 
without any apparent evil intent, that I 
could discover. I would sometimes see 
as many as five varieties of birds after 
one jay; they were always victors, too. 
The robin, I always observed, could de- 
fend himself against a jay, never seemed 
afraid to do so, and indeed seemed to 
be the aggressor. The blue jay may be 
a sly bird, a "robber and a thief," 
though I never detected those traits to 
any especial extent; but he is hand- 
some and brightens the winter land- 
scape. To be sure, I found that he was 
fond of green peas and corn and did 
not hesitate in helping himself, also 
sampling the bright Duchess apples. 
The robin is equally fond of all small 
fruits, and greedy as well. 
The bluebirds came regularly in the 
early spring for years, then ceased ap- 
parently when the sparrows made their 
appearance. The sparrows made many 
attempts to usurp the little house pro- 
vided especially for the bluebird, but 
were not allowed to do so and never 
gained a footing on the premises; still 
the little spring harbinger ever after 
kept aloof from us. In the winter sea- 
son the English sparrow came occasion- 
ally to share the bluejays' tidbits, but 
was promptly repulsed, although other 
birds came freely. The dainty little 
snowbird, several kinds of woodpeck- 
ers, now and then a chickadee, and 
some other winter birds came also. I 
had ways of enticing the birds to come 
near where I could watch their habits 
and peculiarities. All birds fear cats. 
There are cats and cats — some never 
molest birds or little chickens, but, as a 
rule, they seem to be their natural en- 
emies. Little boys, I am sorry to say, 
cause great destruction of birds, often 
thoughtlessly, by trying their marks- 
manship. I would banish every "sling 
shot!" It is even worse than taking 
eggs, for they are generally replaced; 
but when the mother-bird is taken a 
little brood is left helpless to suffer and 
die. Thoughtful kindness towards little 
birds should be encouraged among 
children. I would have one day each 
year devoted to the subject in all pub- 
lic schools. It would bring birds under 
the observation of many who otherwise 
would pass them by unnoticed, and 
when one takes an interest in anything, 
be it flowers or birds, he or she is less 
likely to cause their destruction. 
MARCH AND MAY. 
" The brown, brown woods of March 
Are the green, green woods of May, 
And they lift their arms with a freer swing 
And shake out their pennons gay. 
And the brown, dead world of March 
Is the living world of to-day; 
Life throbs and flushes and flashes out 
In the color and fragrance of May." 
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