these weeds. There were goldfinches, blue-birds, sparrows, robins; and perched in a tree, at no great distance, were several meadow-larks apparently attracted by the crowd, for they sat quietly looking on. Altogether there must have been several hundreds in the flock, for there were frequently six or eight hanging upon one thistle-stalk. Some were feeding busily; others were flitting about, now on the fences, now in the road. It was a gay, pretty sight. We disturbed them, of course, passing in their midst; but they did not seem much alarmed. Taking flight, as we came close upon them, they alighted again on the rails and weeds, a few yards beyond, repeating over and over the same movement as we walked slowly on, until more than half the flock had actually accompanied us in this way a good piece of road, called near a quarter of a mile. They seemed half convinced that we meant no harm to them. As we reached the end of the lane and turned into the highway, some went back to their feast; others, as it was near sunset, flew away in parties.
The numbers of these autumn flocks vary very much with the seasons; some years they are much more numerous than others. After a cold, late spring, we have comparatively few. Many birds at such times, probably, stop short on their spring journey, remaining farther south; and others, alas! are destroyed by a severe untimely frost. Not long since, early in the season, a large party of blue-birds arrived in the village. We watched them with much interest; their brilliant plumage of silvery blue showing beautifully as they flitted about in the sunshine; and added to their gentle, harmless character and pleasant note, this makes them very desirable birds to have about a house and on a lawn. We observed no less than three pairs building under the eaves, at the
