LOVE-MAKING AND HOME-BUILDING 



or along the road ; only first one bird runs and 

 then the other. They keep a few feet apart, stand 

 very erect, and the course of each describes the 

 segment of an arch about the other. 



" How courtly and deferential their manners 

 toward each other are. Often they pipe a shrill, 

 fine strain, audible only a few yards away. Then 

 in a twinkling one makes a spring and they are 

 beak to beak and claw to claw as they rise up a 

 few feet into the air. But usually no blow is de- 

 livered ; not a feather is ruffled ; each, I suppose, 

 finds the guard of the other perfect. Then they 

 will settle down and go through with the same 

 running challenge as before. Often they will 

 run about each other in this way for many 

 rods." * 



The " racket " has subsided and the quieter 

 voices may again be heard, but above them all 

 rises a sound as of vigorous hammering and rapid 

 drilling. Let us follow the resounding clue to see 

 if we can discover the little carpenters in the very 

 act of constructing their home. We must pro- 

 ceed with caution, however, for even the most 

 fearless of woodland folk are apt to become wary 

 and stealthy when it is a question of concealing 



* Mr. John Burroughs, in Riverby. 



[145] 



