42 SHARP EYES. 



boxes I had put up for them, but not until they had 

 changed their minds several times. As soon as the 

 first brood had flown, and while they were yet under 

 their parents' care, they began another nest in one of 

 the other boxes, the female, as usual, doing all the 

 work, and the male all the complimenting. A source 

 of occasional great distress to the mother-bird was a 

 white cat that sometimes followed me about. The 

 cat had never been known to catch a bird, but she 

 had a way of watching them that was very embarrass- 

 ing to the bird. Whenever she appeared, the mother 

 bluebird would set up that pitiful melodious plaint. 

 Oiie morning the cat was standing by me, when the 

 bird came with her beak loaded with building mate- 

 rial, and alighted above me to survey the place, be- 

 fore going into the box. When she saw the cat, she 

 was greatly disturbed, and in her agitation could not 

 keep her hold upon all her material. Straw after 

 straw came eddying down, till not half her original 

 burden remained. After the cat had gone away, the 

 bird's alarm subsided, till, presently seeing the coast 

 clear, she flew quickly to the box and pitched in her 

 remaining straws with the greatest precipitation, and, 

 without going in to arrange them, as was her wont, 

 flew away in evident relief. 



In the cavity of an apple-tree but a few yards off, 

 and much nearer the house than they usually build, 

 a pair of high-holes, or golden-shafted wood-peck- 

 ers, took up their abode. A knot-hole which led to 

 the decayed interior was enlarged, the live wood be- 



