84 A BIRD'S-NEST HUNTER. 



simple-hearted not to say simple-minded 

 fearlessness of this bird is really aston- 

 ishing ; especially in view of the fact that 

 his showy plumage makes him a favorite 

 mark for every amateur taxidermist. He 

 will even warble while brooding upon the 

 eggs, a delicious piece of absurdity, which I 

 hope sooner or later to witness for myself. 



While watching my first couple of gros- 

 beaks I suddenly became aware of a wood 

 thrush passing back and forth between the 

 edge of a brook and a certain oak, against 

 the bole of which she was making ready her 

 summer residence. She seemed to be quite 

 unattended ; but just as I was beginning 

 to contrast her case with that of the fem- 

 inine grosbeak overhead, her mate broke 

 into song from a low branch directly behind 

 me. She had all the while known where 

 he was, I dare say, and would have been 

 greatly amused at my commiseration of 

 her loneliness. The next morning she 

 was compelled to make longer flights for 

 such stuff as she needed ; and now it was 

 pleasant to observe that her lord did not 

 fail to accompany her to and fro, and to sing 

 to her while she worked. 



