180 MINOR SONGSTERS. 



should have expected from this paragon of self- 

 possession. 



For self-control, as I have elsewhere said, is 

 Pipilo's strong point. One afternoon last sum- 

 mer a young friend and I found ourselves, as we 

 suspected, near a chewink's nest, and at once 

 set out to see which of us should have the honor 

 of the discovery. We searched diligently, but 

 without avail, while the father-bird sat quietly 

 in a tree, calling with all sweetness and with 

 never a trace of anger or trepidation, cheraivink, 

 cherawink. Finally we gave over the hunt, and 

 I began to console my companion and myself 

 for our disappointment by shaking in the face 

 of the bird a small tree which very conveniently 

 leaned toward the one in which he was perched. 

 By rather vigorous efforts I could make this pass 

 back and forth within a few inches of his bill ; 

 but he utterly disdained to notice it, and kept 

 on calling as before. While we were laughing 

 at his impudence (^his impudence !) the mother 

 suddenly appeared, with an insect in her beak, 

 and joined her voice to her husband's. I was 

 just declaring how cruel as well as useless it 

 was for us to stay, when she ungratefully gave 

 a ludicrous turn to what was intended for a very 

 sage and considerate remark, by dropping almost 

 at my feet, stepping upon the edge of her nest, 

 and offering the morsel to one of her young. 



