A FUSSY MAMMA. 55 



pleasure of seeing a movement in the nest. 

 When the sun reached a certain height above 

 the tree, it shone into that small mansion in 

 such a way as to reveal its contents ; thus I could 

 see the redstart babies moving restlessly, evi- 

 dently in haste already to come out into the 

 world. This day the father took rather more 

 than half the charge of the provision supply, and 

 with considerable regularity. During four hours 

 that the nest was closely watched, its tenants 

 were fed at about five-minute intervals for half 

 an hour ; and then mamma promptly smothered 

 their ambition, as above mentioned, for perhaps 

 a quarter of an hour, when, if they did not take 

 naps like "good little birdies," they at least 

 were forced to keep still. 



This young matron reminded me of some mo- 

 thers of a larger growth, she was so fussy, so 

 careful that her charges did not go too fast for 

 their strength, while her spouse made it his 

 business to see that she did not keep them tender 

 by over-coddling. He allowed her to brood 

 them for fifteen minutes; longer than that he 

 would not tolerate, but came like a fiery meteor 

 to see that she moved. She plainly understood 

 his intention, for the instant he appeared she 

 darted off, although he did not touch the nest. 

 All day the weight of responsibility kept this 

 rover at home ; he might generally be seen on 



