BIRDS'-NESTS. 



HOW alert and vigilant the birds are, even when 

 absorbed in building their nests ! In an open 

 space in the woods I see a pair of cedar-birds collect- 

 ing moss from the top of a dead tree. Following the 

 direction in which they fly, I soon discover the nest 

 placed in the fork of a small soft-maple, which stands 

 amid a thick growth of wild cherry-trees and young 

 beeches. Carefully concealing myself beneath it, with- 

 out any fear that the workmen will hit me with a chip 

 or let fall a tool, I await the return of the busy pair. 

 Presently I hear the well-known note, and the female 

 sweeps down and settles unsuspectingly into the half- 

 finished structure. Hardly have her wings rested before 

 her eye has penetrated my screen, and with a hurried 

 movement of alarm she darts away. In a moment the 

 male, with a tuft of wool in his beak (for there is a 

 sheep-pasture near), joins her, and the two reconnoitre 

 the premises from the surrounding bushes. With their 

 beaks still loaded, they move around with a frightened 

 look, and refuse to approach the nest till I have moved 

 off and lain down behind a log. Then one of them 

 ventures to alight upon the nest, but, still suspecting 

 all is not right, quickly darts away again. Then they 



