FRIENDS IN FEATHERS 



attempts at a window. The first on the right, rudimentary, 

 had proved to be so high that it could not be used, so it had 

 been abandoned. The next attempt was so low that the 

 brooding bird could sit on her eggs, put her head from the 

 window and watch the neighbours. It was clearly defined, 

 firmly outlined and deliberately woven as a part of the nest. 

 It was also large enough that in case of attack from Owls or 

 squirrels at the top, the mother bird could slip from the 

 window. I watched her brooding and feeding. After figur- 

 ing out what she had done, I had a boy climb for the aban- 

 doned nest, which proves exactly what I write of it. It also 

 shows that these birds were in advance of their time and 

 knew what they were doing. By no possibility could they 

 have constructed this nest as it is without knowing why 

 they did it. They fashioned this window to enable the 

 mother to have light and air, also to watch her bird neighbours 

 while she brooded. I, and many other people, saw her so use it 

 during that time. 



In much personal experience with these birds I know them 

 to have fine dispositions, almost never quarrelling or meddling in 

 the affairs of other birds. They are invaluable insecticides, 

 searching under and upper sides of leaves as well as bark for their 

 chosen food; great blessings to any orchard. They are a treat in 

 appearance, our bird of purest gold, and their notes sown co- 

 piously on air are as golden as their backs. Their music is almost 

 irritating, in that they start a lovely theme, see a bug on a blossom 

 and stop to catch it, forgetting to complete the song, although at 

 times they do finish after a long interval. Sometimes one hears 

 the end, but not the beginning of the strain. Many musicians 

 have put these songs on record as they appeal to their sense of 

 harmony and composition, one has even caught that Oriole theme 

 which occurs in the Spinning Song in "Martha" : 



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