24 A CHRONICLE OF THREE LITTLE KINGS. 



what went on below, quite in the manner of 

 their fathers. Two days later, the first little 

 king mounted the walls of his castle, fluttered 

 his wings, and apparently meditated the grand 

 plunge into the world outside of home. So ab- 

 sorbed was he in his new emotions that he did 

 not see the arrival of something to eat, and put 

 in a claim for his share, as usual. I thought he 

 was about to bid farewell to his birthplace. 

 But I did not know him. Not till the youngest 

 of the family was ready to go did he step out of 

 the nest, — the three were inseparable. While 

 I waited, expecting every moment to see him fly, 

 there was a sudden change in the air, and very 

 shortly a furious storm of wind and rain broke 

 over us. Instantly every young bird subsided 

 into the nest, out of sight ; and in a few minutes 

 their mother came, and gave them the protection 

 of her presence. 



Several days were spent by the oak-tree house- 

 hold in shaking out the wings, taking observa- 

 tions of the world, dressing the feathers, and 

 partaking of luncheon every few minutes. Such 

 a nestful of restlessness I never saw; the con- 

 stant wonder was that they managed not to fall 

 out. Often the three sat up side by side on the 

 edge, white breasts shining in the sun, and 

 heads turning every way with evident interest. 

 The dress was now almost exactly like the par- 



