progress. They sowed to the whirlwind. Grass, 
stems and string were alike whisked away by 
unruly breezes. After a short confab they gave 
up the task and flew away. 
The next morning they made another effort to 
start the nest, were again defeated and again 
retired. 
Tuesday morning, there being a hush over all, 
Sir and Madame Robin were early at the tryst- 
ing place. From six to two o’clock uninterrupt- 
edly they toiled, Sir Robin doing his part gra- 
ciously, stopping only for an occasional burst of 
song when madame was busy in the nest. 
Under the good management of Madame the 
nest had grown apace, so that when they left on 
Wednesday it was fully one-half completed. She 
was proving herself an expert architect and 
builder. Alert and quick, she kept things mov- 
ing. Dropping lightly into the nest, she would 
thrust her breast forward, make six or more quick 
turns of her body to give the desired cylindrical 
form, then nimbly hopping out, with her mate 
drive swiftly away for other material. 
Thursday morning Robin came without mad- 
ame. He was in extreme excitement, calling 
loud and sharp, as with quick, jerky movements 
he flew from tree to tree. Occasionally he would 
dart off to. a weed-patch in the rear of South Pine 
avenue apparently in search of the lost Madame. 
Where was Madame? Did Robin know? 
Only too well did Robin know! 
Two days later Robin returned to the tree and 
58 
