MY WOODLAND INTIMATES 



maples, another at the foot of a large spruce not 

 far distant from the first shelter. Both brush- 

 heaps rest on a carpet of dead leaves a method 

 of furnishing entirely to the wood-thrushes' lik- 

 ing and the broken branches are so heavily 

 packed and so closely intertwined that none but 

 the little people of the wood can penetrate them. 

 I do not think it would be possible for a cat or the 

 smallest dog to enter this maze ; and birds of prey 

 seem averse to venturing so near our dwelling. 

 Occasionally, while the little friends are all as- 

 sembled at the table d'hote some watchful mem- 

 ber of the feathered company will sight an enemy 

 taking observations from sky or tree-top vantage- 

 points. Instantly a note of alarm will be sounded, 

 when presto, as if by enchantment, every bird dis- 

 appears and nothing but an innocent-looking, non- 

 committal brush-heap is to be seen. 



After a time a cautious delegate peeps out from 

 the shelter, and if nothing formidable is in sight 

 he gives a reassuring call ; whereupon again, as if 

 by magic, the banqueting hall is furnished with 

 guests and the interrupted chatter and feasting 

 are resumed. 



I may be mistaken, but I think that a certain 

 little song-sparrow couple are considering one of 



