8 THE KINGBIRD'S NEST. 



cumber ourselves and make life a burden. This 

 spasmodic visitation went on for days, and finally 

 it was plain that sitting had begun. Still the 

 birds of the vicinity were interested callers, 

 and I began to think that one kingbird would 

 not even protect his nest, far less justify his rep- 

 utation by tyrannizing over the feathered world. 

 But when his mate had seriously established 

 herself, it was time for the head of the household 

 to assume her defense, and he did. 



As usual, the kingbird united the characters 

 of brave defender and tender lover. To his 

 spouse his manners were charming. When he 

 came to relieve her of her care, to give her exer- 

 cise or a chance for luncheon, he greeted her with 

 a few low notes, and alighted on a small leafless 

 twig that curved up about a foot above the nest, 

 and made a perfect watch-tower. She slipped 

 off her seat and disappeared for about six min- 

 utes. During her absence he stayed at his post, 

 sometimes changing his perch to one or other of 

 half a dozen leafless branchlets in that part of 

 the tree, and there sitting, silent and watchful, 

 ready to interview any stranger who appeared. 

 Upon her return he again saluted her with a few 

 words, adding to them a lifting of wings and 

 spreading of his beautiful tail that most comi- 

 cally suggested the bowing and hat-lifting of 

 bigger gentlemen. In all their life together, 



