I2O By Leafy Ways. 



the forest. It is quite common, however, to find 

 them singly, though several are often found within a 

 few yards. 



The nest, made of grass and twigs, and stiffened 

 with mud like that of the blackbird, is built in a tree, 

 but from necessity, or perhaps merely from choice, is 

 sometimes placed on the ground. 



No precautions seem to be taken for concealment. 

 The great structure is often so close to the road that 

 the traveller may look into it as he passes. 



But farther north, among the wild arctic fiords or in 

 the solitude of the Lofoden islands, the bird finds a 

 spot that to us at least seems more in keeping with 

 her love of quiet. 



Land on the shore of one of the little bays among 

 the islands. Cross the beach among the boulders, 

 fringed with rich brown seaweed, the haunt of gull 

 and cormorant, as the broken echinus shells strewn 

 about will testify, and stroll up the little valley that 

 winds away among the sterile hills. 



Huge masses of rock, torn by frost and tempest 

 from the rugged crests on either hand, lie piled along 

 the sides, half hidden among the cool foliage of stunted 

 birch-trees. 



All the valley glows with the rich green herbage 

 which the fierce sun of the brief northern summer and 

 the warm waves of the great ocean current make so 

 strangely fair. Knee-deep rise the grass and ferns 

 along a little stream that idly wanders seaward under 



