cts blight?

"He never moves round for the roughest weather,
He's a harmless, comical, tough old fellow.
Let's all go into the tree together,
For he won't budge till the fruit is mellow!"

So up they flew; and the sauciest pair
'Mid the shady branches peered and perked,
Selected a spot with the utmost care,
And all day merrily sang and worked.

And where do you think they built their nest?
In the scarecrow's pocket, if you please,
That, half-concealed on his ragged breast,
Made a charming covert of safety and ease!

By the time the cherries were ruby-red,
A thriving family hungry and brisk,
The whole long day on the ripe food fed.
'Twas so convenient! they saw no risk!

Until the children were ready to fly,
All undisturbed they lived in the tree;
For nobody thought to look at the guy
For a robin's flourishing family!

CELIA THAXTER.

* * * * *

THE SONG SPARROW.

A little gray bird with a speckled breast,
Under my window has built his nest;
He sits on at twig and singeth clear
A song that overfloweth with cheer:
"Love! Love! Love!
Let us be happy, my love.
Sing of cheer."

Sweet and true are the notes of his song;
Sweet--and yet always full and strong,
True--and yet they are never sad,
Serene with that peace that maketh glad:
"Life! Life! Life!
Oh, what a blessing is life;
Life is glad!"

Of all the birds, I love thee best,
Dear Sparrow, singing of joy and rest;
Rest--but life and hope increase,
Joy--whose spring is deepest peace:
"Joy! Life! Love!
Oh, to love and live is joy,--
Joy and peace."

MISS HARRIET E. PAINE: _Bird Songs of New England._

* * * * *

THE FIELD SPARROW.

A bubble of music floats
The slope of the hillside over--
A little wandering sparrow's notes--
On the bloom of yarrow and clover.
And the smell of sweet-fern and the bayberry-leaf
On his ripple of song are stealing;
For he is a chartered thief,
The wealth of the fields revealing.

One syllable, clear and soft
As a raindrop's silvery patter,
Or a tinkling fairy-bell, heard aloft,
In the midst of the merry chatter
Of robin and linnet a