A NOTABLE QUARTETTE 295 



tail was still too stubby to display the ornamentation 

 that gives the species its popular name. So much was 

 learned, but at the expense of the little family's peace 

 of mind. As I held the bantling in my hand, the 

 frightened mamma uttered a series of pitiful calls that 

 were new to my ears, consisting of two notes in a low, 

 complaining tone ; it was more of an entreaty than a 

 protest. Afterwards I heard the green -tails also give 

 voice to a fine chirp almost like that of a chipping 

 sparrow. 



The mother's call seemed to strike terror to the 

 hearts of her infant brood, for, as I attempted to put 

 the baby back into its crib, all four youngsters set up 

 a loud to-do, and sprang, panic stricken, over the rim, 

 tumbling, fluttering, and falling through the network 

 of twigs to the ground, a couple of them rolling a few 

 feet down the dusty bank. Again and again I caught 

 them and put them back into the nest, but they would 

 not remain there, so I was compelled to leave them 

 scrambling about among the bushes and rocks. I felt 

 like a buccaneer, a veritable Captain Kidd. My sincere 

 hope is that none of the birdkins came to grief on ac- 

 count of their premature flight from the nest. The 

 next morning old and young were chirping about the 

 place as I passed, and I hurried away, feeling sad 

 that science and sentiment must sometimes come into 

 conflict. 



