of t 



window, so that in leaving it the young would have 

 to drop, then turn and fly up to get out. Below was 

 the pig. 



As they grew I began to fear that they might try 

 their wings before this feat could be accomplished, 

 and so fall to the pig below. But Nature, in this case, 

 was careful of her pearls. Day after day they clung 

 to the nest, even after they might have flown ; and 

 when they did go, it was with a sure and a long flight 

 that carried them out and away to the tops of the 

 neighboring trees. 



They left the nest one at a time, and were met in 

 the air by their mother, who darting to them, calling 

 loudly, and, whirling about them, helped them as 

 high and as far away as they could go. 



I wish the simple record of these family affairs 

 could be closed without one tragic entry. But that 

 can rarely be of any family. Seven days after the 

 first brood were a-wing, I found the new eggs in the 

 nest. Soon after that the male bird disappeared. 

 The second brood has now been out a week, and in 

 all this time no sight or sound has been had of the 

 father. 



What happened ? Was he killed ? Caught by a cat 

 172 



