BIRDS' NESTS. 45 



a few feet of her, without frightening her from 

 her post. 



As they were returning, the gardener met 

 them, and having answered some of Mr. Mil- 

 ler's questions about his potatoes and other 

 crops, added 



" If you please, Sir, may I destroy the star- 

 lings' nests about the house ? " 



" Why do you wish them destroyed ? " 

 said Mr. Miller. 



" Because, Sir, one has been built at the 

 top of the pipe which drains the roof of the 

 house ; and if it is allowed to stay there, and 

 we have a shower of rain, the shoot will over- 

 flow, and the water will soak through the 

 walls. The same thing happened last year, 

 and the plastering of one of the rooms had to 

 be taken down." 



" Well, George, you know I do not like 

 the nests to be meddled with, which are built 

 about the house and garden ; but if these birds 

 are positively doing mischief, I am afraid I 



