TROUBLE IN THE HONEYSUCKLES. 179 



seen on close examination. The second wooer 

 was as bright and full of life as one could be. 

 He looked saucily at the unfortunate he had 

 come to cut out, bristled up and delivered his 

 call in a loud, defiant tone, and was ready to 

 battle at once for the home in the honeysuckles. 

 This fellow too was a more formidable foe in 

 the eyes of the poor little cock on the ledge. 

 He did not answer his challenge ; he crouched 

 low against the house ; his head sank, and it 

 seemed that his last moments had arrived. 



So perhaps thought the rival, for he flew 

 boldly into the vines. That roused the droop- 

 ing hero. In defense of his hearthstone he 

 would rise almost from the dead. He flew in- 

 stantly and drove the intruder away, returning 

 at once to his post. After a little, madam her- 

 self alighted on the sill with her suitor in full 

 view of her despised spouse ; but he put them 

 to rout like a whirlwind. 



On this day he took possession of a new 

 stand, on the corner of the roof, where he could 

 overlook the window and also the honeysuckle 

 vines on both sides. There he remained a long 

 time calling, and driving away those who pre- 

 sumed to interfere with his domestic affairs. 

 This was an exciting day about the honey- 

 suckles, full of challenges, scoldings, furious at- 

 tacks and probably, too, suffering, for the little 



