32 More Tales of the Birds 



on troubles, worries on worries and, depend 

 upon it, we haven't seen the end of it yet. 

 But it's no good talking about it. When one is 

 worried the best thing is to be as busy as 

 possible. So I had better say goodbye and 

 get to work again." And he fluttered off his 

 perch. 



"No, don't go," said Gwenny. " Tell me all 

 about it; I'm sure it'll do you good. I 

 always go and tell some one when I get into 

 trouble." 



So the Martin began, while Gwenny arranged 

 herself comfortably as for a story, while the 

 breeze blew the brown locks all about her 

 face. 



" The wonder is," he said, " that I am here 

 at all. Every year it seems more astonishing, 

 for half the Martins that nested in the village 

 in my first summer are dead and gone. And 

 indeed our numbers are less than they used to 

 be ; we have to face so many troubles and 

 perils. When we left Africa last spring " 



" Why did you leave it ? " asked Gwenny. "If 

 you will make such terribly long journeys, (and I 



