A L I N E A D A Y 



to-day, about nine feet from the ground in a small hickory, twined 

 with bitter-sweet, close to the path. With my long-handled mirror 

 I watched these little thrushes daily, waiting to see them leave the 

 nest. Finally, one morning they were so lively that I took my 

 small folding stool and glasses and sat down, note-book in hand, 

 not more than six feet away. It was the last day of July, and hot. 

 The sun was shining brightly and there was little wind, in fact a 

 most propitious moment. For three hours I sat quiet while the 

 small thrushes were being fed, while they balanced themselves 

 on the edge of the nest, nibbled a leaf which swayed temptingly 

 near, preened themselves, rested quietly, called eagerly, and at 

 last sailed forth, one at a time, to a friendly branch near the ground. 

 When I left them the mother had them all together in a secluded 

 corner and was teaching them already to hunt on the ground for 

 their food. 



July 12 This afternoon just before dinner two baby chimney- 

 swifts fell down into the dining-room, followed by the exquisitely 

 wrought nest. What were AVC to do with them ! They were l.arelv 

 fledged, and cried continuously. One we put back up the chimney 

 as far as we could reach, and he really did climb up; his call grew 

 fainter and fainter until a soft whirr of welcome greeted him and 

 reassured us. But the other seemed weaker. The only thing I 

 could think of to feed him was milk, so we procured a dropper from 

 the medicine closet and proceeded to administer this healthful 

 beverage. He spluttered a good deal but he swallowed it, and we 



