26 NEST ROBBERS. 



they choose, creeping around as they do with- 

 out a sound. It is only surprising that a bird 

 is left in the State, so persistently do they rob 

 the nests. Naturally the mocking-bird, for which 

 they can always find purchasers, is the most 

 desirable, and white as well as black persecute 

 that bird unceasingly. 



" You can't keep them from the negroes," said 

 a young white man. " I 've often been watching 

 a nest to get the young ones myself, but some 

 nig was sure to take it before me." 



Speaking of negroes, I never saw so many 

 idle men and grown boys. Not a spot could be 

 found so secluded that one or more did not soon 

 make his appearance. Selecting the quiet yard 

 of a summer cottage, a deserted-looking place 

 not yet opened for the season, in which to study 

 the ways of the birds in peace, I was often 

 disturbed by a negro passing across the lawn, 

 taking no heed of fences, for there 's no sort of 

 a fence in that country that they will not pass 

 over as if it were not there. Of course this 

 always put to flight the dramatis persons of 

 my study. One day an interesting (or inter- 

 ested) person of color appeared on the scene 

 equipped for white-washing, and proceeded to 

 adorn tree trunks, fences, buildings, etc., etc., 

 relieving his labors by questioning me about 

 northern manners and customs. On another 



