46 BIRDS' NESTS. 



cannot say no. As long as they want shelter 

 only, they shall have it ; but if they choose to 

 build their houses so as to injure mine, and 

 I have the greatest right to be comfortable 

 here, since the house was built before the nest, 

 the poor birds must be turned out. But 

 why did you not frighten them away before 

 the nest was finished ? They would then only 

 have had to look out for another spot." 



" Why, Sir, 1 did all I could. I never saw 

 them without shouting to them, and clapping 

 my hands at them; but they did not mind 

 me a bit ; for as soon as my back was turned 

 they were at work again. I even tied two 

 long sticks together, and poked out some of 

 the rubbish they had brought there, but it 

 w r as of no use. They seemed so fond of the 

 place, that nothing would drive them away." 



A long ladder was soon placed against the 

 house, on which George mounted, and pre- 

 sently came down, bringing with him four 

 eggs of a delicate pale-green colour, without 



