114 The Canary. 



also, and by the Saturday following, Beauty and 

 Buttercup had finished their nest, and on the Sunday 

 morning the former had deposited her first egg therein. 

 Little Blanche was indefatigable in her maternal duties, 

 but her husband, I am sorry to say, who all along had 

 shown himself to be only an idle, shacking sort of 

 fellow, now exhibited himself in his true colours. 

 Whenever she left the nest, instead of guarding it 

 with jealous care against all marauders, as a good 

 husband should, my gentleman began to pick out the 

 soft cotton with which it was lined, and thus set a very 

 bad example to the others, which, I am grieved to 

 say, they were not slow to follow. For a day or two 

 this sort of thing went on without any material harm 

 being done, for, being an active, industrious little 

 bird, little Blanche soon repaired the damage done in 

 her absence, whilst she administered to the culprits 

 caught in the act a sound drubbing, which they richly 

 deserved. Often did they fly away with a flea in their 

 ears for their wanton and malicious attacks upon other 

 people's property, but alas ! one morning we found the 

 nest all turned upside down in the box, and though the 

 eggs were not broken, and we tried to repair the 

 damage, poor little Blanche looked the picture of 

 misery, and never went near them again. Every now 

 and then she would go and take a momentary peep at 

 her now desolate house, but instinct, I suppose, told 

 her that it would be useless to return. Her fondest 

 hopes were evidently blighted, and the bright visions 

 of her callei brood were at an end ; and bitterly did 

 she seem to mourn over her loss, whilst her good-for- 



