224 BESIDE THE GEE AT SALT LAKE. 



nearly close cover supported by a small branch 

 above. The sitting bird could draw herself 

 down out of sight, or she could defend herself 

 and her brood, at either entrance. 



In my retreat, I had noted all these points 

 before any sign of life appeared in the brush. 

 Then there came a low cry of " mag ! mag ! " 

 and the bird entered near the ground. She 

 alighted on a dead branch, which swung back 

 and forth, while she kept her balance with her 

 beautiful tail. She did not appear to look 

 around ; apparently she had no suspicions and 

 did not notice us, sitting motionless and breath- 

 less in our respective places. Her head was 

 turned to the nest, and by easy stages and with 

 many pauses, she made her way to it. I could 

 not see that she had a companion, for I dared 

 not stir so much as a finger; but while she 

 moved about near the nest there came to the 

 eager listeners on the ground low and tender 

 utterances in the sweetest of voices, whether 

 one or two I know not, and at last a song, a 

 true melody, of a yearning, thrilling quality 

 that few song-birds, if any, can excel. I was as- 

 tounded ! Who would suspect the harsh- voiced, 

 screaming magpie of such notes ! I am certain 

 that the bird or birds had no suspicion of listen- 

 ers to the home talk and song, for after we were 

 discovered, we heard nothing of the sort. 



