CONSIDERING HIS DEBUT. 45 



He was fed, and again left ; and now he scram- 

 bled np with his feet on the edge. He was si- 

 lent; he was considering an important move, a 

 plunge into the world. He wanted to come, — 

 he longed to fly. Outside were sunshine, sweet 

 air, trees, food, — inside only darkness. The 

 smallest coaxing would bring him out ; but coax- 

 ins: he was not to have. He must decide for 

 himself; the impulse must be from within. 



The next morning opened with a severe north- 

 east gale. 



"It rained, and the wind was never weary." 



The birds felt the depressing influence of the 

 day. The robins perched on the fence, wings 

 hanging, each feather like a bare stick, and not 

 a sound escaping the throat; and when robins 

 are discouraged, it is dismal weather indeed. 

 The bluebirds came about, draggled almost be- 

 yond recognition. Even the swallows sailed 

 over silently, their merry chatter hushed. 



But life must go on, whatever the weather; 

 and fearing the young woodpecker might select 

 this day to make his entry into the big world, 

 his faithful watcher donned rainy-day costume, 

 and went out to assist in the operation. The 

 storm did not beat upon his side of the tree, and 

 the youngster still hung out of his hole in the 

 trunk, calling and crying, apparently without 



