WITH THE THICKET BIRDS 133 



were demanding retribution on account of their 

 drinking-cup having been knocked down by 

 some boys. But this erroneous view of things 

 — a mighty easy thing in nature work — was dis- 

 pelled next morning, when the real cause of the 

 trouble was sighted — the foundation of a new 

 nest. It was in a leafy saskatoon bush, scant 

 twelve feet from the fire-place. 



For three days the grackles worked at the 

 structure, and while doing so showed quite an- 

 other side of their lives. They did most of their 

 work in the morning, and both birds assisted, 

 though it seemed that the female did the greater 

 share of the actual constructing. She pulled 

 and pushed and breasted the material, and then 

 always sat on it a little time, either to hold it in 

 position or because she liked the feel of it, or 

 probably both. When it rained one day, they 

 mudded away industriously — a case of making 

 hay while the sun didn't shine; and one whole 

 afternoon while there were visitors in camp, 

 they did not do a turn. Possibly it was merely 

 a concidence, but for some reason they absented 

 themselves from the place, and nesting opera- 

 tions ceased for the time. 



It was on the afternoon of the fourth that 



