248 



STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 



was observed that she was getting together a quantity of grass and weeds, 

 and trying to raise her nest. 



As soon as this was noticed, a labourer w^as sent with a load of straw and 

 rubbish, and told to throw it down beside her. 







THE BLACK SWAN. 



The bird seemed to understand what it was for, and with the materials 

 thus provided she began at once to raise her nest some two or three feet 

 higher. 



There came a heavy fall of rain that very night, which flooded the meadows, 

 and did a great deal of damage in the neighbourhood of tiie river ; but the 



