17. 



HOME LIFE OF THE REDSTART. 



The redstart himself told me where his trea- 

 sures were "hid in a leafy hollow." Not that he 

 intended to be so confiding ; on the contrary he 

 was somewhat disconcerted when he saw what 

 he had done, and tried his best to undo it by ap- 

 pearing not to have the smallest interest in that 

 particular tree. I happened that morning to be 

 wandering slowly along the edge of a tree-lined 

 ravine, looking for the nest of a greatly disturbed 

 pair of cat-birds. As I drew near an old moss- 

 covered apple-tree, I heard a low though ener- 

 getic "phit I phit!" and a chipping sparrow 

 emerged from the tree with much haste, quickly 

 followed by a redstart, with the unmistakable 

 air of proprietor. The sight of me made a di- 

 version. The pursued dropped into the grass, 

 while the pursuer turned his attention to the 

 bigger game, presented so unexpectedly that he 

 had not time to bethink himself of his usual cus- 

 tom of not showing his gorgeous black and gold 

 about home. He scolded me well for an instant, 

 till his wits returned, when he disappeared like 



