HOW MADAM BIRD COMBS HER HAIR. ot 
coat skirts are cut so much like the dress of his mate 
that we sometimes have to imagine a good deal to see 
any difference. 
But, as a rule, you can tell the male or gentleman 
bird because he dresses so much more gayly than his 
mate, although we do not think he spends quite so 
much time as she in fixing and mending his clothes 
and in bathing. The lady bird works harder than her 
mate in going to market to get lumber and nails for 
her house or cradle, and so she soils her clothes more. 
Then she sits longer in the nest and works harder in 
many ways, never once thinking about putting on an 
apron. 
You must not think too hard of the gentleman birds 
for letting their mates do the most of the home work, 
for you remember that it is the male who must always 
be ready for his place in the orchestra at a moment’s 
notice. He is obliged to make most of the music, and 
if he should neglect his duty he would probably lose 
his place and be put out of the choir. 
A singer bird has no notes spread out before him, 
but must go over and over his part, until he knows it 
by heart with no one to prompt him. 
You need not be surprised because we said a bird 
must get lumber and nails for her house or cradle. If 
she did not have lumber and nails, she could not do her 
work. Of course you never hear her pounding with 
a hammer, still she uses what may be called nails, as 
you shall see by and by. 
