76 CANAET BIRDS. 



finger into the nest to see : both birds came 

 immediately, and, standing at the door to 

 watch me, gave no sign of fear or of displea- 

 sure, but simply wished to know what I 

 could be at. A very soft, well-felted lining, 

 after all, I found, and directly I removed 

 my finger, into her nest popped the little 

 bird, and there she sat amidst her fir branch- 

 es, with her little black eyes glittering as I 

 hardly thought a bird's eyes would 'glitter 

 she also took crumbs of biscuits or of hemp- 

 seed when I held them to her, with evident 

 satisfaction. 



I have no faith at all in match-making ; 

 in nine cases out of ten it is quite certain 

 that the birds suit themselves better than 

 we could suit them. Besides, half the amuse- 

 ment is seeing what they will do. The pret- 

 tiest nest I have had this year was the pro- 

 duction of a strong-minded female, who fair- 

 ly hunted down a poor little German bird 

 not more than half her size. Never was 

 anything more amusing than Jenny's perti- 



