180 MINOR SONGSTERS. 
should have expected erin this paragon of self- 
possession. 
For self-control, as I have elsewhere said, is 
Pipilo’s strong point. One afternoon last sum- 
mer a young friend and I found ourselves, as we 
suspected, near a chewink’s nest, and at once 
set out to see which of us should have the honor 
of the discovery. We searched diligently, but 
without avail, while the father-bird sat quietly 
in a tree, calling with all sweetness and with 
never a trace of anger or trepidation, cherawink, 
cherawink. Finally we gave over the hunt, and 
I began to console my companion and myself 
for our disappointment by shaking in the face 
of the bird a small tree which very conveniently 
leaned toward the one in which he was perched. 
By rather vigorous efforts I could make this pass 
back and forth within a few inches of his bill ; 
but he utterly disdained to notice it, and kept 
on calling as before. While we were laughing 
at his impudence (Ais impudence!) the mother 
suddenly appeared, with an insect in her beak, 
and joined her voice to her husband’s.” I was 
just declaring how cruel as well as useless it 
was for us to stay, when she ungratefully gave 
a ludicrous turn to what was intended for a very 
sage and considerate remark, by dropping almost 
at my feet, stepping upon the edge of her nest, 
and offering the morsel to one of her young. 
