THE SONG DIES AWAY 



But my birds had human friends and ad- 

 mirers without number. I was generally 

 known as the lady who owned the birds, 

 and was worthy of consideration and es- 

 teem chiefly on account of my office as cus- 

 todian of the little southerners. Jenny 

 gained great favor through her housewifely 

 ways and her willingness to perch on the 

 hands of visitors, but Chupes was gener- 

 ally best loved; and his beautiful songs and 

 funny pranks excited no end of admiration 

 and wonder. 



At last the long cold winter came to an 

 end, and it was just as I had made up my 

 mind that out-door pleasures and spring 

 delights would soon be ours that the first 

 little life closed. 



Before entering upon any of the particu- 

 lars, I want to tell you that I had dreaded 

 for these tenderly watched, happy little 

 creatures a forlorn old age, or some such 

 227 



