120 BIRDS' NESTS. 



" I found a nest in a thorn-bush which I 

 cut down this morning, and have laid it on 

 the ground a few yards back ; you are very 

 welcome to it, if you would like to have it. 

 There are four or five eggs in it, but I don't 

 know of what sort they are." 



" I hope," said Mr. Miller, " that you do 

 not wantonly destroy the nests that come in 

 your way." 



<c No, Sir; birds' eggs are of no use to me, 

 and there is plenty of room in the world for me 

 and them; but when my orders are to cut down 

 a hedge, I cannot leave every bush standing that 

 happens to have a nest in it." 



With these words, he fetched the nest, and 

 placed it in Henry's hands. It was a large nest, 

 made of dry goose-grass and moss, with a lining 

 of hair, and contained five eggs, of a delicate 

 cream-colour, mottled with buff. 



"Oh," said Mr. Miller, "this is the nest of 

 a butcher-bird, or red-backed shrike." 



" A butcher-bird ! '' exclaimed Henry ; 



