have you heard, children, that the bluebirds are nearly gone from our country? other families of singing birds are going fast, and by and by it may be that we shall have only the sparrows and other birds that have no beautiful colors or sweet songs.

all this is true, and many good people are feeling very sad about it. where are the birds? alas! they have been killed—thousands, yes, millions of them—for the feathers that you see in the shops and that ladies and little girls wear on their hats!