AROUND THE OLD BARN 179 



" Meanwhile he carries on a rapid sing-song conver- 

 sation, sometimes for his own benefit and sometimes to 

 cheer his mate on the nest, for this Vireo is one of the 

 few birds Avho talk too freely about their homes. 



" These homes of theirs are another proof of indus- 

 try ; they are beautifully woven of a dozen kinds of 

 stuff — grass, bark-strips, seed-vessels, fine shavings, and 

 sometimes bits of colored paper and worsted, and half 

 hang from the crotch of a small branch with a nice 

 little umbrella of leaves to cover Madam's head. There 

 she sits peeping out, not a bit shy if she feels that your 

 intentions toward her are kindly. I have often found 

 these nests in the orchard, on branches only a few feet 

 from the ground, and I have also found them high up 

 in the maples by the attic window. 



'' The Vireo does not stop work at noon when the 

 field hands lie under the apple trees, with their dinner 

 pails beside them. No, he only works and talks faster, 

 keeping one eye on the home branch, and this is what 

 he says, stopping between every sentence : ' I know it — 

 I made it — Would you think it ? — Mustn't touch it — 

 Shouldn't like it — If you do it — I'll know it — You'll 

 rue it ! ' " 



" He was talking exactly like that this morning," 

 said Dodo. '^ Will the nests last after they are empty, 

 Uncle Koy, so we can find some ? " 



" Yes, surely ; these nests are very strong and firm, 

 often lasting a whole year." 



''I know it — I made it! — Would you think it?" 

 called a musical voice from the wood. 



^' Why, he is at it yet," said Rap ; '' I think ' The 

 Talker' would be a fine name for him." 



