64 



TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 



lected an open and exposed situation), he could not refrain 

 from expressing his joj, at intervals during the work, in 

 snatches of his sweetest notes. The female, more watchful, 

 sighted me, and gave notice of the intrusion. Quick as 

 thought the birds were away. The male, alighting near 

 the top of an adjoining tree, at once poured forth his song 

 in loudest notes, no doubt thinking that by attracting my 

 attention to him, I would lose sight of the nest. Knowing 

 it was now too late for concealment, and that any attempt 

 to hide away would only increase their suspicions, and 

 stop or delay the work, I carelessly walked nearer, in order 

 to have a better view, and lay down on my back in, an open 

 space. In a short time the female returned, hopped about 

 the tree, inspected mo closely from the lower limbs, and 

 then flew away and returned several times, before bring- 

 ing material, or venturing to approach the nest. But the 

 moment she did so, the song of the male ceased, and the 

 work of building was actively resumed. As the female 

 stood upon the top of the nest, with head down and inside, 

 I could not see the manner of arranging the lining; but 

 as she kept walking around upon the rim, I could, in 

 imagination, see her plaiting and weaving in and out the 

 hair-like stems. It was very easy and interesting, however, 

 to see and note the actions of the male, as he deftly worked 

 the material into the framework, running the longer, 

 fibrous, thread-like strips through, and then quickly 

 springing upon the top, and fastening them on the inside. 

 Then he would rearrange the outside, stopping a moment 

 to inspect the work, and then off in search of more mate- 

 rial, occasionally warbling a few notes on the way ; but he 

 silent at the nest, while I remained so near. At the 



was 



