The food of the White-crowned sparrow consists of both insects and seeds. To some extent they feed upon berries, and Audubon states that in Labrador they also eat minute shellfish, “for which they frequently search the margins of ponds or the seashore.” This bird is a scratcher. It is also a hopper and hence scratches with both feet at once. The nest of this Sparrow is usually constructed of grass or moss and is placed either on the ground or in low bushes. Audubon describes a beautiful nest of this species which he found in Labrador. This nest “was placed in the moss, near the foot of a low fir, and was formed externally of beautiful dry green moss, matted in bunches, like the coarse hair of some quadruped; internally of very fine, dry grass, arranged with great neatness, to the thickness of nearly half an inch, with a full lining of delicate fibrous roots of a rich transparent color.” Of this beautiful Sparrow Mr. Burroughs has said: “Among the birds that tarry briefly with us in the spring on their way to Canada and beyond, there is none that I behold with so much pleasure as the White-crowned Sparrow. I have an eye out for him all through April and the first week in May. He is the rarest and most beautiful of the sparrow kind. He is crowned as some hero or victor in the games. His sparrow color, of ashen gray and brown, is very clear and bright, and his form graceful. His whole expression, however, culminates in a regular manner in his crown. The various tints of the bird are brought to a focus here and intensified, the lighter ones becoming white and the deeper ones mainly black. There is the suggestion of a crest also, from a habit this bird has of slightly elevating this part of its plumage, as if to make more conspicuous its pretty markings.” AFTER THE SNOW STORM. Chick-a-dee-dee, chick-a-dee-dee, Tell me where were you When last night the white snow drifted And the north wind blew? Chick-a-dee-dee, chick-a-dee-dee, Bonny little bird! Come anear my window, let me Whisper you a word: If you’ll stay with me all winter, Chick-a-dee-dee-dee, Apple-cores and crumbs I’ll give you; Best of friends we’ll be; You shall sit among the branches Of the lilac tree, Sit and sing anear my window, Chick-a-dee-dee-dee. Glad indeed I’ll be to see you; Promise me you’ll stay, Food and shelter I shall find you For the winter day; And in spring I’ll give you, dearest Chick-a-dee-dee-dee, For your nesting-place and bower, All my lilac tree! —Mary Grant O’Sheridan, in the Chicago Tribune. THE FEATHERED FISHERMAN.