200 HAPS IN THE FIELD 



becomes interested in strings it is time to 

 watch him. After tugging a long time in 

 vain, he went away, and in a moment re- 

 turned with another, presumably his mate, 

 and both worked at the obdurate string. 

 Several times during the day the pair re- 

 turned and struggled with that much-desired 

 string. 



I watched, and saw the birds go to a maple 

 a little way off, where I soon found the nest, 

 and a great deal of soft chattering going on 

 about it. I was pleased to see that the cedar- 

 bird can be talkative in his subdued way. 



As head of the family this bird was 

 most devoted. He brought food constantly 

 to the sitting bird, who left the nest to receive 

 it, fluttering her wings like a nestling, and 

 chatting volubly. 



The cedar-bird is under a ban as a cherry- 

 eater. No doubt he is fond of that fruit and 

 eats some, though not so much as is supposed. 

 But I want to protest against the common 

 fashion of speaking of a bird taking fruit as 

 " stealing." To the bird, with no knowledge 

 of human decrees, it is perfectly right to 

 " take my own wherever I find it," and the 



