A BIR&S-NEST HUNTER. 83 



mitted to be killed rather than desert her 

 charge. To the honor of her kind be it said 

 that the supposition is far from incredible. 



My second nest of this species was within 

 twenty rods of the first, and was in use at 

 the same time ; but it met with no better 

 fate, though I was not present to see it 

 robbed. The third was more prosperous, 

 and, unless something befell the young at 

 the last moment, they were safely launched 

 upon the wing. This nest was situated in 

 a clump of witch-hazel bushes, at a height 

 of eight or nine feet. I remarked a gros- 

 beak singing near the spot, and, seeing him 

 very unwilling to move away, concluded 

 that his home could not be far off. It was 

 soon found, a slight, shapeless, frail-look- 

 ing bundle of sticks, with the female upon 

 it. I took hold of the main stem, just be- 

 low her, and drew her towards me ; but she 

 would not rise, although I could see her 

 moving uneasily. I had no heart to annoy 

 her ; so I called her a good, brave bird, and 

 left her in peace. Her mate, all this while, 

 kept on singing ; and to judge from his be- 

 havior, I might have been some honored 

 guest, to be welcomed with music. The 



