126 A MEADOW NEST. 



to hearers, however, the beautiful bird himself is 

 far from expressing that emotion in his manner. 



Aside from the enchanting quality of his calls, 

 and the thrilling magnetism of his song, the 

 tawny thrush is an exceedingly interesting bird. 

 In his reserved way he is socially inclined, show- 

 ing no dislike to an acquaintance with his human 

 neighbors, and even evincing a curiosity and 

 willingness to be friendly, most winning to see. 



Speak to one who, as you passed, has flown 

 up from the ground and alighted on the lowest 

 limb of a tree, looking at you with clear, calm 

 eyes. He will not fly; he will even answer you. 

 You may stand there half an hour and talk to 

 him and hear his low replies. It seems as if it 

 were the easiest thing in the world to inspire him 

 with perfect confidence, to coax him to a real 

 intimacy. But there is a limit to his trustful- 

 ness. When he has a nest and little ones to 

 protect, as already shown, he is a different bird ; 

 he is wild with terror and distress, and refuses 

 to be comforted when one approaches the sacred 

 spot. 



This unfortunate distrust of one's intentions 

 makes it very hard for a student who loves the 

 individual bird to watch his nest. One can't 

 endure to give pain to the gentle and winsome 

 creature. The mournful, despairing cry of both 

 parents, "ke-o-iki ke-o-iki ke-o-ik !" constantly 



