NESTLINGS OF FOREST AND MARSH 
busier life than she. With no aid, as we 
thought, from the male bird, she fed and 
guarded the little ones. The tree stood 
near a small slough, and there she found 
food in plenty without much hunting; but 
the nervous strain was very great on her, 
and she began to be ragged-looking and 
fidgety. I wondered where the father might 
be, for after the brood hatched we never 
heard his song or saw more than one parent 
(presumably the mother) near the nest at a 
time. Had he fallen a victim to cat, owl, 
or small boy? However that may be, the 
small brown mother bore her part bravely 
and reared her family well. It rained hard 
one night, and early the next morning I 
went out to see the tiny thrushes. There 
sat the largest on the edge of the nest, preen- 
ing his feathers just as he had seen his 
mother do. I startled him by spattering 
him with raindrops from the leaves, and out 
he fluttered to a twig three feet away. This 
relieved the pressure at home, and imme- 
diately three little heads were raised and SIX 
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