A FEATHERED MIDGET AND ITS NEST. 81 



been laid shortly before the nest had reached the 

 usual size of such structures, and the builders, on dis- 

 covering it, had immediately set to work and covered 

 it entirely over, and then built up the sides of their 

 house about 2| inches higher. This upper -portion 

 was very loosely constructed, and had evidently been 

 built in a hurry to meet the exigencies of the case. 

 But, alas, for the expectations of our feathered friends ! 

 No sooner had the second floor neared completion 

 than Mrs. Cow-bird paid them another visit, and left 

 behind her a reminder in the shape of a new egg. 

 This was too much for bird endurance. The gnat- 

 catchers deserted in disgust the home over which they 

 had spent so many anxious moments, and set to work 

 to build a new one, in which, let us hope, they reared 

 their little family unmolested by unwelcome guests. 



