[Illustration: MOTH MULLEN. (Verbascum blattaria). FROM “NATURE’S GARDEN”] The Moth Mullen (Verbascum blattaria) is a far more attractive and graceful plant than the form previously described. The specific name was derived from the idea that the plant would kill the cockroach (Blatta). It was supposed that moths would not go near the plant, and it was quite a general custom in New England to pack these plants or flowers with clothing or furs in order to keep out moths. The stamens are similar to those of the Great Mullen, except the filaments are tufted with violet hairs. The flowers are yellow or white on long, loose racemes. The erect, slender stem is usually about two feet in height, and as a rule there are no leaves present at the flowering time. Charles S. Raddin. THE CALL OF THE PARTRIDGE. The fields are wet, the fields are green, All things are glad and growing, And fresh and cool across the pool The gentle wind is blowing. Tho’ humid clouds yet fill the sky, The rain has ceased its falling, And from his rail across the swale, I hear the partridge calling, The spotted partridge calling. Through the silence not a note His listening ear is greeting. But hear! O hear—how loud and clear His call he is repeating, What pleading lingers in his tone, What tenderness revealing. O, soft and sweet across the wheat, A timid answer’s stealing, The timid answer’s stealing. —Belle Hitchcock. JIM CROW AND HIS COUSINS. While much can be said about the beauty and grace of birds of brilliant plumage and those of soul-stirring song, there is as much to be written concerning those noted for their sagacity and cunning. Some have selected the parrot as the model in this particular and the choice is not a mistake. There is, however, a tribe which all may observe more or less, while a story relating to their habits or pranks will ever find willing listeners. The Crow is the best known of this genus, and grouped with him are the chough, the raven, the rook and the jackdaw. All of these may be tamed, and afterward may be taught to use the language of man. The plumage of the Crow in the northern parts of the world is black, and we are so accustomed to that color that to speak of a white or of a spotted Crow might subject one to ridicule, yet in many parts of the world such Crows are found. Some are gray and black, and some species are larger than others. They are characterized by a comparatively short tail, long wings, and a strong, rather conical beak.