BIRDS OF PEASEMARSH 



suited together. Then, although it was the 

 mother bird's turn, he flew nearer and nearer 

 the nest box until, with one brave dash, 

 he gained the opening and darted in. He fed 

 his open-mouthed offspring, performed his 

 housekeeping duty, cleaning the nest since his 

 last visit, and returned to his timid mate, flap- 

 ping his wings in triumph. As we watched he 

 tried to take the beetle from her beak to carry 

 it in for her, but she turned her head away, 

 scorning his offer. No, she intended to do her 

 own dangerous work. Trembling, she flitted 

 nearer and nearer. The babies twittered, 

 knowing that she was near, though she made 

 no sound. Again she flitted nearer, till with 

 one bold dash she entered. Her mate waited 

 to see her safely out, though he was by this 

 time due to be back with another worm. She 

 came in a moment, flying straight to him for 

 his approval. They embraced each other, and 

 side by side they flew away for more insects, 

 two bits of clearest blue, passing across the old 

 barn yard lane to the field beyond. 



A few days afterwards, Cecil, an almost con- 

 stant companion when among the birds, came 

 running in, exclaiming breathlessly, "The 



[56] 



