SOME OTHER BIRDS AT WORK. 93 
they hang. We have rescued several which were 
caught this way. 
It seems strange that a bird which can build so beau- 
tiful and fine a nest of threads does not know enough 
to pull the strings off from her baby’s toes when it is 
caught in this way. They may do this sometimes, but 
we have never seen them do anything but fly about in 
a helpless way, chattering as orioles do. 
Orioles keep no secrets to themselves. They are 
“tell-tales,” and keep up a constant chat among them- 
selves and at intruders. They are different in this 
respect from some other birds, who are as quiet as mice, 
never whispering a word as to where their nests are, 
and deceiving you, if they can, by limping away as if 
they were hurt. Such quiet birds will raise a nest 
full of birds and be off while you are wondering where 
they are. 
We do not have chimney swifts in California; but 
we lived in New England once, and we recollect very 
well what a racket they used to make in the chimneys. 
Sometimes the nests fell down into the fireplace, and 
then what a commotion! 
Some swallows choose to build under the eaves, and 
in caves and tunnels, and on the under side of bridges, 
or in crevices of rocks. We have often wondered that 
a bird mother can tell her own nest among so many 
that look just alike. We have stood and watched the 
barn swallows, and felt sure that they count, “One, 
two, three, here’s my nest.” How else do you sup- 
