158 YOUNG AMERICA IN FEATHERS. 



the fact that he is one of the kings of song, he 

 comes down like the humblest sparrow of the 

 fields, to help feed and train his lovely tawny 

 brood. Without exception that I know, he is 

 the most utterly heartbroken of birds when the 

 nest is discovered. So pathetic are the wails of 

 both parents that I never could bear to study a 

 nest, and I had to harden my heart against the 

 bleating, despairing cries of the mother before 

 I could secure even a look at a youngster just 

 out of the nest. This scion of the charming- 

 thrush family is a patient little soul, with all the 

 dignity and reserve as well as the gentleness of 

 his race ; no human child could be more winning. 



A beautiful instance might be seen in that 

 spot of Nature's provident way of looking out 

 for the future. Those battered old spruces had 

 a flourishing colony of young trees growing up 

 all around and under the shade of their wings, 

 and some day when a great wind breaks off the 

 decayed old ones, there will be several vigorous 

 half-grown young, to take their place, so the 

 place will not be left desolate a day. If man 

 would only take this hint in his own treatment 

 of trees, leave the young ones to take the place 

 of those he removes, we should not have to 

 dread the wasteful destruction of our forests. 



In this corner, one morning, I saw a catbird 

 gathering blueberries for dinner. She came 



