AT PEEP OF DAY 



stuff, and the pale button at the top of the hol- 

 low stem is now quite bare. This wholesale 

 gathering represents somebody's nest-lining. 



Let us take a stroll toward the front entrance 

 of the grove in order to obtain a glimpse of the 

 deserted street. It is not probable that anyone 

 is stirring at this hour. 



But instead of solitude we find a host of busy 

 little folk. Would you have believed it possible 

 that, right out upon a public sidewalk where by 

 and by scores of hurried human feet will pass, 

 such an assemblage of comparatively shy birds 

 could have made themselves so thoroughly at 

 home? 



True, the robin is ever fearless and friendly, 

 but now he is almost intrusive. And there are 

 orchard orioles examining critically the lowest 

 branches of the maples that line the public thor- 

 oughfare ; while Baltimore orioles calmly view us 

 from their halting-places on the fence, bronzed 

 grackles strut complacently around the grassy 

 borders, and wood-thrushes are inspecting crev- 

 ices in the brick pavement. One of the little 

 brown beauties is deeply interested in a large, soft 

 bit of Japanese wrapping-paper that has drifted 

 in among the fence-railings. See her as she turns 



[177] 



