A FEATHERED MIDGET AND ITS NEST. 81 



been laid shortly before the nest had reached the 

 usual size of such structures, and the builders, on dis- 

 covering it, had immediately set to work and covered 

 it entirely over, and then built up the sides of their 

 house about 2J inches higher. This upper portion 

 was very loosely constructed, and had evidently been 

 built in a hurry to meet the exigencies of the case. 

 But, alas, for the expectations of our feathered friends ! 

 No sooner had the second floor neared completion 

 than Mrs. Cow-bird paid them another visit, and left 

 behind her a reminder in the shape of a new egg. 

 This was too much for bird endurance. The gnat- 

 catchers deserted in disgust the home over which they 

 had spent so many anxious moments, and set to work 

 to build a new one, in which, let us hope, they reared 

 their little family unmolested by unwelcome guests. 



