THE WOODLAND IN APRIL 299 



Yes, here is the nest, and the female bird, with 

 trustful confidence, will not leave her precious 

 charge. Come hither and see for yourself the 

 trustfulness of the bird." 



" I see her glistening eyes," said my friend, 

 bubbling with excitement. " What a snug nest 

 she has made, how cosy and warm. Has she eggs 

 or young ? " 



" Probably she has eggs and is sitting, but we 

 will not disturb her, and will repay her for her 

 consciousness of protection by leaving her un- 

 disturbed." 



" I hear a harsh note now and also an extra- 

 ordinary sort of chattering. What woodland 

 sounds are these ? " 



" The first is the alarm cry of the restless Jay, 

 the sentinel of the woods. Here are three or four 

 which have been trapped by the gamekeeper, for 

 they do considerable harm to game. The other 

 sound you heard proceeded from a rough old 

 Starling perched on the summit of that Scotch 

 Fir. There he sits sunning himself and chattering 

 the while. He will probably nest in that hole 

 lower down the tree, his mate laying therein from 

 four to six beautiful pale blue and unspotted 



eggs." 



" Can you tell me," said my companion, " what 

 bird it is which has such an abruptly finished 

 song ? I hear it in my garden." 



