

ing is much more compact than the outer 

 wall and not infrequently contains pieces 

 of string and thread, woven in with the 

 other materials. 



The Pine Siskin is said to be easily 

 tamed and that it makes a choice cage- 

 bird. Though not as brightly colored as 

 the goldfinch, the Siskin deserves as 



much attention. "They sing on the wing 

 in the manner of the goldfinch. Their 

 notes are clear, lively and mellow, like 

 ,as in that bird, but still sufficiently dis- 

 tinct; they fly out in the same graceful, 

 deep curves, emitting also the common 

 call note at every effort to proceed." 



HOW WE SAW THE BIRDS. 





I. 



To see birds aright the student should 

 array himself in nature's own colors, take 

 the best pair of opera glasses he can get, 

 and, with calmness and patience, seek the 

 objects of his devotion in the still fast- 

 nesses of the woods or in the secluded 

 spots of a large city park. Obviously two 

 prattling children, be they one's own and 

 ever so sweet, are not helpful compan- 

 ions ; but it sometimes happens that where 

 parents go children must go likewise, and 

 it is wise to keep in mind the gains co- 

 incident with the losses, the compensation 

 children always furnish for forfeitures 

 they occasion. 



One day two bird lovers were tramp- 

 ing over the woods with their two-year- 

 old son and their four-year-old daughter, 

 infants yet the staunchest heroes. The 

 ground was very rough, full of invisible 

 holes, into which the wind had blown the 

 lost foliage of past years. As they stum- 

 bled along the younger child fell. His 

 sister consoled him and said, "these holes 

 are waste baskets for the leaves." That 

 little remark revived the family and the 

 children entertained themselves a good 

 part of the morning tumbling into waste- 

 baskets and scrambling out again. 



Meantime their elders took turns sit- 

 ting soberly under a thicket watching the 

 movements of two wood thrushes, beau- 

 tiful, well-bred birds, who, during the 

 hour and a half thev were observed, 



found their food quietly on the ground, 

 stole away softly when they were dis- 

 turbed and returned calmly to resume 

 their meal. Not a hasty movement did 

 they make, not a note did they utter, 

 though the invasion of their realm was 

 doubtless an infrequent occurrence. They 

 were not nervous or oversuspicious, but 

 were so serene that the observers longed 

 to hear their song, so certain it seemed 

 that the strain would be placid and pure. 



When the children were exhausted 

 with their efforts at getting out of "waste- 

 baskets" they sat down upon a hillock, 

 lolled in each other's arms and pretended 

 they were taking naps. Above their heads 

 was an old elm, the top of which was life- 

 less and bare. While on duty guarding 

 the children the mother kept her eyes 

 fixed upon those naked boughs, remem- 

 bering Thoreau's promise that to him who 

 sat patiently watching all the birds would 

 sooner or later appear. Perhaps Thoreau 

 had not taken into account the noises of 

 the children. Perhaps by the word later 

 he meant to save himself an argument, 

 since no one can say what might happen 

 should he continue waiting. Be that as 

 it may, the mother was rewarded. 



Possibly the birds wished to see what 

 so much merriment was about, for chil- 

 dren are always merry when they play at 

 napping. But why should a winged crea- 

 ture fear? Could they not escape from 

 any petty human, who must needs remain 



149 



