PERSEVERANCE REWARDED. 99 



more droll performances on the tree-top, no 

 more misleading antics in the blackberries ; the 

 days of frolic were over, the sober duties of life 

 claimed all their energies, and they went about 

 silently and stealthily. Of course I was sure 

 something had happened to induce this change, 

 — no doubt nestlings, — and a great and ab- 

 sorbing determination grew in my mind to find 

 that nest, if I suffered in body and estate from 

 every bush in the patch. 



Let the story of my encounter be veiled in 

 oblivion. Suffice it to say that perseverance 

 under such difficulties deserved, and met, re- 

 ward. In due time I saw the bird flit away, 

 and my eyes fell upon the nest. No birds, but 

 four pearls of promise within. 



" Think on the speed, and the strength, and the glory, 

 The -wings to be, and the joyous life, 

 Shut in those exquisite secrets, she brooded." 



I looked, but did not touch ; and I departed 

 content. A few days later I made another 

 call. Again I flushed the mother from the 

 nest, and this time looked upon a brown mass 

 of wriggling baby chats. Meanwhile, since life 

 had become so serious, the chat sobered down 

 into the dignified head of a family, and joined 

 his mate in hard work from morning till night. 



But summer days were passing. Dandelion 

 ghosts lined the paths, wild roses dropped their 



