TEIALS OF A BIED'S LIFE. 



Yes, indeed, birds have their full share of 

 " trials and tribulations." Those who are not 

 acquainted with their habits would scarcely 

 believe from how many sources their troubles 

 arise. The truth is, they are never safe, for foes 

 are constantly lurking about to harm them or 

 their offspring, so that one often wonders how 

 they can ever be as gay and happy as they are. 



Yet they have been wisely endued with 

 keen eyes, swift wings, and sharp ears, so that 

 it is very difficult to surprise them. They seem 

 to esjiy you afar off as you approach their 

 haunts. Go to the woods at any time, sum- 

 mer or winter, and as you draw near you will 

 hear the alarm call of a half dozen birds, some 

 from the remote sylvan depth, spreading the 

 news of your approach through the whole 

 bird community. It is doubtful if there is a 

 feathered citizen of the place which does not 

 soon know that there is something unusual 

 astir. The chickadee chatters it to the jay, 

 the jay to the flycatcher, the flycatcher to the 



