There were twenty-three, full-grown, all from California.

The sight was an interesting one to both the grown people and the children, and all listened attentively to the remarks of the exhibitor, delivered in solemn tones, in regard to the habits of the birds.

He spoke of the male bird as most kind and self-forgetful in his treatment of his mate, or mates, saying it was he who built the nest and obtained the food; also that he would sit on the eggs in the nest for sixteen hours at a stretch, while the mother did the same for only eight hours.

He had other things also to tell of the domineering of the female over the male, which caused some merriment among the ladies and girls of our party; to the gentlemen also, though they pretended to highly disapprove.

But all laughed together over the ridiculous movements of the flock in passing from one side of the grounds to another.
"What do they eat, papa ?" asked Ned.
"Corn, grasses, seeds of various kinds," replied his father.