LOVE-MAKING AND HOME-BUILDING 



astounding acrobatic feats. It would seem as if 

 a preening of an hour would hardly suffice to re- 

 store the ruffled costume to its usual sleekness and 

 trimness. Yet even as the croak or squeak dies 

 away, the feathers fall into place again, and the 

 beautiful violet and green and purple and bronze 

 lights play once more over the smoothest and 

 glossiest of coats. 



It was with a strange sense of exultation that 

 I saw bits of nest-material of my own providing 

 small strips of muslin and short strings disap- 

 pearing among the highest of these pine-branches 

 a subtle link between the children of the air 

 and a dweller on the earth. Day after day I 

 watched the skilful masons and builders as they 

 gathered the soft mud from the roadside and car- 

 ried it to their tree-top home. But though the 

 beautiful pine-tassels nod and sway as if in friend- 

 ly approval of my interest, they keep the secret of 

 what goes on within their shelter. 



Only a few moments ago all seemed peaceful 

 and harmonious in the grove. What is, then, the 

 meaning of this sudden uproar? Who are these 

 wild skirmishers and whither are they bound ? 



I recognize this commotion. It is what Mr. 

 Burroughs calls a " robin racket." " Trains of 



[143] 



