CURIOSITIES OF WILD LIFE. 71 



plumage in such a way that no breath of cold 

 morning air could reach her featherless and almost 

 downless brood beneath. 



As the day grew on apace, and consequently 

 became warmer, the bird left her nest, and went 

 away in search of food, which her husband was 

 bringing in beggarly quantities, and with no great 

 frequency. 



From a supplementary peephole in my hiding 

 tent I discovered a pert cock robin feeding his 

 wife, sitting on a nest upon the opposite side of 

 the chalk pit. His industry and solicitude were 

 so great that his mate's appetite became satiated 

 to the extent of an utter refusal to open her bill 

 for the most tempting morsel, and, to my astonish- 

 ment and delight, her husband kindly brought 

 the, food over and gave it to the grateful baby 



MALE SONG THRUSH 

 BRINGING FOOD. 



