Hillside. 165 



house, which latter was about three yards from the railing. 

 At right angles to the path and railing was a stone wall 

 some nine feet high. One evening, when returning from my 

 garden, I had stopped to open the little gate on my right, 

 the stone wall being in front of me. Now occurred one of 

 the most extraordinary and pleasing things I had observed 

 in bird life. Something dropped from the wall, which I at 

 first thought was a large leaf. On looking down, however, 

 I was gladly surprised to see my sweet chaffinch. There 

 she sat, full of confidence, with legs bent, wings slightly 

 extended, tail and head raised, her eyes looking into mine, 

 and only a yard from my feet. ' My sweet one,' I said. 

 When she knew she was recognised she immediately re- 

 turned to the top of the wall, and there, mirabile visu, were 

 her four little darlings, which she had brought to show me! 

 I spoke to her in the usual tone, while I gazed at her and 

 them : ' Sweetie, sweetie, my pet, my sweet one ; ' and never 

 was seen, I think, a prouder or happier bird than that 

 little chaffinch. She chirruped and moved with quick jerky 

 motions, as if wild with delight, while the four young ones 

 gazed at me with bodies and necks extended to their fullest 

 height, and evidently wondering what it was all about. She 

 had remembered my kindness during the two months or so 

 she had been absent, and did not bring her little ones until 

 they were fully feathered and as lovely as herself. Hera 

 was evidence of memory, pride, affection, gratitude, and 

 shall I say reason? Why not? After talking to her for 

 some two minutes or more, I opened the little gate, still 

 talking to her, when she and her little ones flew away, and 

 I did not see her again. During a long career this is the 

 most pleasing and sweetest mamory I have of bird life." 



