BIRD INTIMACIES 



assurance in his voice he was capable of, apparently 

 trying to dispel her fears. He would warble and 

 warble, and make those pretty wing gestures over 

 and over, saying so plainly: "It is all right, my 

 dear, the man is harmless absorbed there in his 

 newspaper. Go in, go in, and keep warm our 

 precious eggs !" How long she hesitated ! But as 

 night grew near she grew more and more anxious, 

 and he more and more eloquent. Finally she 

 alighted upon the edge of the overhanging roof and 

 peered down hesitatingly. Her mate applauded 

 and encouraged till finally she made the plunge and 

 entered the hole, but instantly came out again; 

 her heart failed her for a moment; but she soon 

 returned and remained inside. Then her mate flew 

 away toward the orchard, uttering a cheery note 

 which doubtless she understood. 



The birds soon became used to my presence and 

 their household matters progressed satisfactorily. 

 Both birds took a hand in feeding the young, which 

 grew rapidly. When they were nearly ready to 

 leave the nest, a cruel fate befell them: I slept 

 upon the porch, and one night I was awakened by 

 the cry of young bluebirds, and the sound of feet 

 like those of a squirrel on the roof over me. Then 

 I heard the cry of a young bird proceed from the 

 butternut-tree across the road opposite the house. 

 I said to myself, "A squirrel or an owl is after my 

 birds." The cry coming so quickly from the but- 



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