THE linnets' nests. 1 35 



great wish for a pair of greenies. So I went to the nest, 

 and was in the act of stretching out my hand to help my- 

 self, when out sprung two of the strongest and uppermost, 

 and spouted across the avenue. The youngest of the 

 family, however, who had all along been much tyrannised 

 over by his brothers and sisters, remained in the forsaken 

 dwelling, swelled out his wings, and stretched his hind 

 legs in such a manner as to say very clearly that their 

 absence was good company. But the hands of the Philis- 

 tines were soon upon him, and he was hauled, nolens 

 volens, from his mossy bed, and handed over to fair 

 Haidee. As, however, a pair were required, I made an 

 excursion to the evergreen where yours were born and 

 bred last year, and there I succeeded in securing another, 

 although his elder brother also took it into his head to 

 spout out of his nest when he saw me coming. Indeed, 

 the whole of our troops are prepared for revolt, and won't 

 even eat their dinners unless they get ' the Mil, the whole 

 bill, and nothing but the bill' In the same bush with 

 the last-named nest there is also a delightful group of 

 young blackbirds ; and throughout the garden various 

 other nests are in different states and stages. The one in 

 the porch is still in safety ; but the mother seems to suffer 

 greatly from heat, and sits with her neb generally open. 

 I suppose she wishes it to pass for a reform-bill. We 

 have got Mr Adie's sea-maw, which is already quite at 



