WABBLES 



in the bushes near the hammock, and chirp to 

 me in the loud, sharp call-note peculiar to the 

 sparrow family. If I remained quiet he would 

 break into song. He confined his singing 

 usually to the morning and evening hours. 

 But on my return after a long absence, he 

 would sing for a short time, regardless of 

 the time of day. It was a bird's method of 

 expressing joy. I thought that he prized my 

 companionship and disliked to be left alone. 



That fall Wabbles migrated with his mates, 

 but the next spring he returned as before, two 

 weeks ahead of the main flock. He lingered 

 about the cabin until the mating season ap- 

 proached, when he disappeared for five days. 

 On his return he brought with him a mate 

 a shy, demure little wife. 



Wabbles wanted to set up housekeeping in 

 the woods, so he showed Mrs. Wabbles all the 

 nooks, sly corners, and sheltered spots, but it 

 was useless; she positively refused to build 

 a nest beneath the trees. She flew away to the 

 fields, and Wabbles followed her. 



Three weeks later, when returning from 

 55 ' 



