198 BIRDS' NESTS. 



by insects which afford sustenance to thousands 

 of living creatures. 



These, however, were not all the mischances 

 which occurred to the nests near the house. 

 Mr. Miller, walking through the wood, observed 

 that the grass had been trodden down and the 

 bushes bent aside in the neighbourhood of the 

 pheasant's nest, as if some one had been paying 

 it a visit. This excited his attention so far, 

 that, contrary to his custom, he went up in 

 order to examine it. He found that what he 

 feared had taken place. Some poacher, prowl- 

 ing through the wood, had discovered the nest 

 and carried off its contents. This was a great 

 disappointment, for though the wood belonged 

 to his neighbour, Mr. Long, he had looked 

 forward with much pleasure to having a brood 

 of these beautiful birds within a short distance 

 of his house ; not that he might shoot them, 

 for he was no sportsman ; but that he might 

 watch their habits, listen for their curious 

 crow in the spring, and occasionally be agree- 



