66 A R UFFIAN IN FEA THERSj 



proached, looking around for him, and stealing to the 

 nest, as it were, but was resolved to make every effort to 

 induce in him a better spirit and mollify his rage. She 

 did not seem greatly grieved, nor in the least angry. She 

 never opened her mouth to answer back the torrent of 

 reproaches with which he greeted her, but instantly 

 retired before his fierce onslaught. Not once did that 

 fiery spirit go to the ground for food, or lose sight of his 

 nest. Most of the time he perched on a branch of the 

 elm, where he could overlook the spruce and be ready for 

 intruders ; but occasionally he went by his usual alight- 

 ing-places to the empty home, clearing out beakfuls of 

 small downy feathers, and apparently setting his house 

 in order. 



But the strange little bird-drama, suggestive, alas ! of 

 some phases of human passion, was not yet concluded. 

 Many times during the day the divorced spouse came 

 near, as if to survey her late home, and see if her lord 

 was in a more amiable mood ; but she found him utterly 

 remorseless, ever on guard to repel all attempts to ' make 

 up.' When at last, after the long hours of night had 

 calmed his savage temper, his mood did change, it 

 was not to her that he turned for sympathy. He would 

 not forgive, but he had no notion of remaining a pining 

 widower. Before evening the next day he went a-wooing, 

 and there appeared upon the spruce-tree, with the evident 

 purpose of examining the home and assuming possession, 

 a dainty, young bird. It had taken that disreputable 

 sparrow less than thirty-six hours to kill his baby, divorce 

 his wife, and woo and bring home a bride ! 



It may be a matter of surprise that one can distinguish 

 between birds, but it is not at all difficult when their 

 habits are watched closely. I knew the new wife from the 



