THE RETURN OF THE BIRDS. 45 



away, and, apparently faint and sobbing, 

 retire to a higher branch. His reputed 

 powers of fascination availed him little, 

 though it is possible that a frailer and less 

 combative bird might have been held by the 

 fatal spell. Presently, as he came gliding 

 down the slender body of a leaning alder, 

 his attention was attracted by a slight move- 

 ment of my arm ; eying me an instant, with 

 that crouching, utter, motionless gaze which 

 I believe only snakes and devils can assume, 

 he turned quickly, a feat which necessi- 

 tated something like crawling over his own 

 body, and glided off through the branches, 

 evidently recognizing in me a representative 

 of the ancient parties he once so cunningly 

 ruined. A few moments after, as he lay 

 carelessly disposed in the top of a rank 

 alder, trying to look as much like a crooked 

 branch as his supple, shining form would 

 admit, the old vengeance overtook him. I 

 exercised my prerogative, and a well-directed 

 missile, in the shape of a stone, brought him 

 looping and writhing to the ground. After 

 I had completed his downfall and quiet had 

 been partially restored, a half-fledged mem- 

 ber of the bereaved household came out 

 from his hiding-place, and, jumping upon a 



