BIRDS'-NESTS 



HOW alert and vigilant the birds are, even 

 when absorbed in building their nests ! In an 

 open space in the woods I see a pair of cedar-birds 

 collecting moss from the top of a dead tree. Fol- 

 lowing the direction in which they fly, I soon dis- 

 cover the nest placed in the fork of a small soft 

 maple, which stands amid a thick growth of wild 

 cherry-trees and young beeches. Carefully conceal- 

 ing myself beneath it, without any fear that the 

 workmen will hit me with a chip or let fall a tool, 

 I await the return of the busy pair. Presently I 

 hear the well-known note, and the female sweeps 

 down and settles unsuspectingly into the half-fin- 

 ished structure. Hardly have her wings rested be- 

 fore her eye has penetrated my screen, and with a 

 hurried movement of alarm she darts away. In a 

 moment the male, with a tuft of wool in his beak 

 (for there is a sheep pasture near), joins her, and 

 the two reconnoitre the premises from the surround- 

 ing bushes. With their beaks still loaded, they 

 move around with a frightened look, and refuse to 

 approach the nest till I have moved off and lam 

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