132 BIRD NOTES 



the motive of every action is evidently a mere 

 balance of instincts. The blue tits are, I suppose, 

 courageous because there are so many of them. 

 Two or three together seem afraid of nothing, and 

 even one will feed quietly on the sill when I am 

 quite close to the window, provided it can keep 

 a window-bar between my eyes and its own just 

 like a baby that hides its head when it is shy, or 

 an ostrich hiding its head in the sand. After all, 

 in each case, it is the fear, and not tlw) danger, 

 that has to be got rid of. 



May 20, 1877. 



I have had such a pretty little pleasure lately. 

 A pair of goldfinches have built a nest within two 

 yards of my staircase-window, on a bough of the 

 sycamore-tree which I planted myself, but which 

 is now higher than the house. It is nearly at the 

 extremity of the bough, and swings to and fro to 

 such a degree when there is wind, that I am almost 

 afraid they will have to abandon it again. It is 

 just in the draught between the two houses. 

 Yesterday the wind was very violent, and though 

 I saw them go out and in then, I have not done 

 so to-day. Indeed, I have not seen them at all ; I 

 hope nothing has happened to them. Anyhow, I 

 have had the pleasure of seeing them build it, and 

 it was a pretty sight, for what do you think they 

 built it of ?lauter Blumcn ! At all events, as far 



