116 The Canary. 



industriously as ever, and soon regained her usual 

 good spirits. This time she selected a box in the very 

 opposite corner, and soon completed another nest as 

 quickly as before, whilst her mate, as if to make up 

 for his past misconduct, now began one on his own 

 account half way between the two. Each worked away 

 at its own box, paying an occasional visit to the 

 other, as though they were trying to see which could 

 make the best, but in no wise assisting in each other's 

 work. This certainly was very mysterious. What 

 could it mean ? Did they intend to have a town and 

 country residence, or was one to be a cottage for the 

 children, whilst papa and mamma were attending to 

 their business at home ? or did they intend to separate, 

 and have two distinct establishments, as some people 

 do who cannot agree to live together ! This they did 

 not choose to inform us for the present ; and so we 

 were left to our own conjecture and surmise. At times, 

 we thought Brilliant must be a hen, instead of a cock, 

 yet the brilliancy of his colour, his general appearance, 

 and his always being in the company of Blanche, forbad 

 the notion. Certainly it was curious that now they 

 should thus separate, and construct two habitations, 

 when only one could possibly be required. Hitherto, 

 every one who had seen him had considered him to be 

 a cock, and up to the time of making his first nest he 

 had been most assiduous in his attentions upon the 

 beautiful little Blanche. Day after day we watched 

 the denouement of this very mysterious business, and 

 wondered how it would ultimately end. Soon, it was 

 remarked, that master Spangle had suddenly become 



