THE HAUNT OF THE ANCHORITE 287 



turn, for reasons only known to themselves. For 

 some days they have eaten little, and have worked 

 themselves into a terrible state of excitement. It 

 is only after some time, when they are quite tired 

 out, that the chase ends, and they select some hole 

 which seems much less likely for their purpose than 

 many they have visited. It was not hard to tell 

 they had fixed upon a domicile, for they lingered 

 lovingly about the spot for some days ere commenc- 

 ing to build. But one morning I saw the blue- 

 bird enter the hole, and by many soft endearments 

 try to induce his yet coy bride to follow. He in- 

 dulged in many soft twitterings unknown to himself 

 or his species at other times, and used a thousand 

 blandishments; and yet she refused to respond. 

 Then he flew off a little way, and brought back a 

 fluffy feather, entered the hole, emerged again, and 

 turned himself like a many-coloured acrobat perform- 

 ing the most marvellous feats; but all will not do. 

 Then he loses his temper and tries to drive her into 

 the interior, but this she will have none of; and so, 

 beaten and crushed, he sits on a bough and deplores 

 her waywardness aloud. But in a few mornings, 

 passing the spot, I find that a crisis has occurred 

 in the little drama, and that the couple are flying 

 busily to and fro with materials for the nest. Soon 

 the hen bird presses to her breast six priceless pearls 

 white, speckled with brown and red, and in such 



