Some Bird Acquaintances 117 



This spring, besides keeping out the tray of food and the suet for my 

 bird neighbors, I hung out several cocoanuts. First I made a hole in one 

 side about the size of a quarter and then suspended the nuts by strong twine 

 from the near-by trees. Soon Nuthatches, Chickadees and Woodpeckers 

 patronized freely these little "houses full of meat" and furnished no end of 

 fun besides. Often all I could see of a hungry Chickadee was the end of 

 his tail. The Downy Woodpecker couldn't quite get inside, but he went 

 as far as he could, and even the big Hairy tried his hand at the nut. 



I would like to tell of other friends among the birds — of the pair of 

 Song Sparrows who for two years have built their home in a white rose 

 bush not far from the house, and who daily — yes, and many times a day — 

 stroll up and down this wide piazza, talking in undertones of housekeeping 

 cares and feeding on the hemp seed scattered about for them at the same 

 time, never minding me in the least, and of the two pairs of Chipping 

 Sparrows who never failed to build in the vine on the porch, or to bring 

 their young to my window-sill and teach them to eat peanuts, and of how 

 one poor bird was nearly choked to death because its mother jammed too 

 large a piece down his throat one day. And, too, of the pair of Robins 

 who also built in our vine very close to a Chippy's nest, and of how each 

 time Mrs. Robin left her own pretty eggs for a little recreation she never 

 failed to bring back some dainty for her neighbor's children; all of which 

 attentions Mr. and Mrs. Chippy resented, even severely pecking the officious 

 Robin, who seemed to like the unkind treatment, for she steadily and per- 

 sistently fed those young Chippies. I would like to tell you all this and 

 more, but there is not time. But let me add one word. Let me tell you 

 that the friendship and the companionship of these little comrades has been 

 not only a source of real pleasure and comfort during these few years of 

 enforced exile from home and friends, but an education as well. Many a 

 needed lesson in patience have they taught me. Many a lesson in affec- 

 tionate consideration and helpfulness as well. 



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