A CUCKOO'S HOUSEKEEPING. 137 



away our insect tormentors, gathered up our 

 properties, and passed on our way. 



This was the farthest point of our wanderings. 

 The way back was through a narrow path beside 

 the oven-bird's pretty domed nest, then between 

 the tangle of wild-berry bushes and saplings, 

 where a cuckoo had set up housekeeping, and 

 where veeries and warblers had successfully hid- 

 den their nests, tantalizing us with calls and 

 songs from morning till night; from thence 

 through the garden, past the kitchen door, home. 



