A DIGRESSION ON SQUIRRELS 



of his back was visible; his head appeared 

 over one edge and his long tail hung down 

 over the opposite side. It was one of his 

 pensive times and he was evidently oblivi- 

 ous to the intense interest two sparrows 

 were taking in the performance. From 

 time to time they literally put their wonder- 

 ing heads together as they chattered their 

 surprise, and every now and then they 

 shortened the distance between themselves 

 and the unnatural combination of bird's 

 nest and squirrel until at last they were at 

 the very door of the nest. 



When Mr. Rufus' meditation was over, 

 he darted from his resting-place and sped 

 merrily on his way towards the grove; and 

 then the sparrows were able to gratify their 

 hardly restrained curiosity. They peered 

 wonderingly into the nest. What a Santa- 

 Claus surprise awaited them! 



In order to take a complete inventory of 

 197 



