202 A DECEMBER DAY WITH THE BIRDS. 



it ? how can he do it ? " I could not refrain from 

 laughing aloud at the hubbub I had created ; and 

 this outburst of merriment seemed to reassure the 

 birds somewhat, convincing them, I suppose, that 

 I was human and harmless, after all. They soon 

 quieted down and betook themselves to their ban- 

 quet of buds, berries and insects, proving that 

 there is a soothing power in a hearty peal of 

 laughter. As other work demanded my attention, 

 I hurried homeward, glad that I had been able to 

 afford my woodland friends some innocent diver- 

 sion, and thus add a little of the spice of life to 

 their existence to keep it from becoming humdrum. 



