156 WESTERN SERIES OF READERS. 



and hairs to cling to is a necessary feature of the 

 nest-lining. 



In early spring-nesting, it sometimes happens 

 that a storm of wind and rain batters the nests of 

 the finches, and so we protect them as best we 

 can. All the birds that live near us have learned 

 to trust us, and will often permit us to shelter 

 their nests with cloth or big hats, or an apron or 

 an umbrella. 



One time we noticed the young ones were 

 growing so fast that two of them were crowded 

 out of the nest. This is not uncommon, as the 

 eggs are four to five in number and laid on five 

 different days. You see, by this arrangement the 

 first egg laid is hatched five days in advance of 

 the last egg. There is quite a difference between 

 a birdling five days old and one just out, as any 

 one may see if he be lucky enough to have the 

 nest of a goldfinch to watch. 



Now, what should be done with two birdlings 

 that sat straight up on a twig near the nest they 

 had just been crowded out of, when a storm was 

 brewing? 



It was easy enough for us to place a black cloth 

 over them, making a sort of tunnel of it, extend- 

 ing well back in the branches. The little things 

 backed far up the tunnel, where they were covered 



