CHARMING MANNERS. 255 



think is only heard in the nesting-time. He 

 always rej^lied instantly, in tenderest tones, and 

 came at once, sometimes from the other side of 

 the orchard, singing as he flew, and perched in 

 the apple-tree. If she wanted his escort to 

 lunch, she joined him there, and after exchan- 

 ging a few low remarks, they departed together. 

 Occasionally, however, she seemed to be merely 

 nervous, perhaps about some other bird who she 

 fancied might be troublesome, though, in gen- 

 eral, neither of the pair paid the slightest atten- 

 tion to birds who came about, even upon their 

 own little tree. 



Often when the goldfinch came in answer to 

 this call of his love, he flew around, at some 

 height above the tree, in a circle of thirty or 

 forty feet diameter, apparently to search out any 

 enemy who might be annoying her. If he saw 

 a bird, he drove him off, though in a perfunc- 

 tory manner, as if it were done merely in def- 

 erence to his lady's wishes, and not from any 

 suspicion or jealousy. On these occasions, too, 

 he came quite near me, stood fearless and cahn, 

 and studied me most sharply, doubtless to see if 

 my intentions were innocent. Of course I looked 

 as amiable and harmless as possible, and in a 

 moment he decided that I was not dangerous, 

 made some quiet remark to his fussy little part- 

 ner, and flew away. 



