April 



" Tet ! tet ! tetera-tet-tet I " " Leave that house 

 instantly, you great, spotted, worm-catcher, will 

 you ? " One could interpret the speech instinctively. 



The missel-thrush eyed the irate, bobbing 

 figure, first from one eye and then from the other, 

 with some interest ; but after several attempts to 

 " take no notice," finally abandoned the position to 

 the insular jealousy of the redbreast rather than 

 continue to hear such shocking language from one 

 so small. 



This prelude only served to lend point to what 

 followed. 



Whilst the robin was haranguing the missel- 

 thrush, a pair of wrens invaded the birch where he 

 stood, and as soon as the thrush had flown, the robin 

 turned his attention to the new, and nearer, comers. 

 He flew toward them, and followed them closely 

 and curiously about the tree as they wandered from 

 branch to branch stoically searching for breakfast. 

 The wrens took no notice of him, and, beyond a 

 succession of demonstrative bobbings and bowings, 

 and a rare " Tet ! tet ! " which may well have been 

 consistent with perfect urbanity, the robin gave no 

 sign that might be construed as a manifestation of 

 even mild displeasure at the presence of the wrens. 



The little three-and-a-half-inch wren has a good 

 many virtues stored about its small person. It 

 makes a good nest, beside supplementary or so- 

 called " cocks' nests " to the number of two or three, 

 supposed by some to afford accommodation for the 



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