180 MINOR SONGSTERS. 



should have expected from 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 (his 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. 



