ting
school boys around and about them. The gentleman called the attention
of one after another of ten of the high school boys to the snow birds
and asked what they were. They one and all declared they were English
Sparrows, and seemed astounded that any one could be so ignorant as
not to know what an English Sparrow was. So much for the city-bred
boy's observation of birds.

[Illustration: EVENING GROSBEAK.]

THE EVENING GROSBEAK.

In the far Northwest we find this beautiful bird the year around.
During the winter he often comes farther south in company with his
cousin, the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak.

What a beautiful sight it must be to see a flock of these
birds--Evening Grosbeaks and Rose-Breasted in their pretty plumage.

Grosbeaks belong to a family called Finches. The Sparrows, Buntings,
and Crossbills belong to the same family. It is the largest family
among birds.

You will notice that they all have stout bills. Their food is mostly
grains and their bills are well formed to crush the seeds.

Look at your back numbers of "BIRDS" and notice the pictures of the
other Finches I have named. Don't you think Dame Nature is very
generous with her colors sometimes?

Only a few days ago while strolling through the woods with my field
glass, I saw a pretty sight. On one tree I saw a Redheaded Woodpecker,
a Flicker, an Indigo Bunting, and a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. I thought
then, if we could only have the Evening Grosbeak our group of colors
would be complete.

Have you ever wondered at some birds being so prettily dressed while
others have such dull colors?

Some people say that the birds who do not sing must have bright
feathers to make them attractive. We cannot believe this. Some of our
bright colored birds are sweet singers, and surely many of our dull
colored birds cannot sing very well.

Next month you will see the pictures of several home birds. See if
dull colors have anything to do with sweet song.

THE TURKEY VULTURE.

This bird is found mostly in the southern states. Here he is known by
the more common name of Turkey Buzzard.

He looks like a noble bird but he isn't. While he is well fitted for
flying, and might, if he tried, catch his prey, he prefers to eat dead
animals.

The people down south never think of burying a dead horse or cow. They
just drag it out away from their homes and leave it to the Vultures
who are sure to dispose of it.

It is very seldom that they attac