BIRDS' NESTS. 33 



that one, and leave a round pebble in its place. 

 Most people think it impossible to make a 

 collection of eggs without cruelty ; but we 

 shall be able to show them that it may be 

 done with as little cruelty as taking the eggs 

 from the poultry yard." 



" Oh yes, papa ; I will run out into the 

 garden, and take an egg out of every nest ; 

 and I have a bag of marbles which will do 

 famously to put into the nests instead/' 



" Stop a bit, if you please," said Mr. Miller; 

 " I do not mean to have any of the nests in the 

 garden touched; in the first place, because, by 

 coming so near the house, the birds seem to 

 have asked for hospitality, and I think that it 

 would be unfair to impose upon them; and, 

 secondly, I wish to have as many .birds as 

 possible near the house ; for although the old 

 birds do not sing after they have reared their 

 broods, and the young ones not till the following 

 spring, they make the place cheerful, if it is 

 only by their flying and hopping about." 



D 



