NESTLINGS OF FOREST AND MARSH 
on one side, and looked at the nest full of 
naked babies with amusing curiosity. Then, 
with a contemptuous flirt of his tail, as much 
as to say, ““ Humph, you need n’t make such 
a fuss. Nobody could want such queer, 
homely things as those are! Now, if they 
were young orioles,” etc., he flew away. 
This was too much for the robin, and furi- 
ous with anger, she darted after him, pur- 
suing him from tree to tree. Meanwhile a 
phoebe, a red-eyed vireo, a song sparrow, 
and a bluebird were examining the nursery 
from a safe distance and expressing their 
views. They were sympathetic and _ re- 
garded me with suspicion; but an unmis- 
takable spirit of criticism on the choice of 
location, size of nest, and method of building 
was evident in their remarks. The blue- 
bird gently wondered why a nest should be: 
built in such an exposed position when there 
were plenty of nice dark holes in the trees 
which were much safer and better for bird- 
lings’ eyes than such strong sunlight. The 
climax came when a red-winged blackbird 
66 
