COULD THE NEST BE THERE? 209 



I returned to my seat, hoping the birds 

 would themselves point it out, for they had 

 not gone far, but were hopping and flying 

 about in the tree over my head, uttering 

 their low " tick," which became a sharp 

 " smack " as they grew bolder. At last one, 

 and then the other, went to the ground at the 

 foot of a tree across the brook. Each went 

 in behind a projecting root, stayed a few 

 seconds, and then flew to a branch and was 

 quiet. 



Surely the nest must be there, I said. 

 Shall I go over and find it ? But perhaps 

 it is not there ; then why with rash fingers 

 destroy my own hopes ? Let me please myself 

 with the fancy that junco has chosen that 

 snug spot for a nursery. 



Again, if it is there, why should I draw 

 the veil from his secret? By and by, when 

 the babies are of age to be presented, junco 

 himself will bring them forward in their 

 charming speckled coats, and I shall see 

 their innocent baby eyes and their uncon- 

 ventional manners much more agreeably 

 than by thrusting myself rudely upon them 

 in their nursery, while they are only scrawny, 



