BIRD LEGEND AND LIFE 



only a short flight as they saw it, or little more than a stone's 

 throw from a human point of view, was a sluggish stream 

 plentifully peopled with fish — small fry, to be sure, but large 

 enough to answer their needs perfectly. They, themselves, 

 were not over a foot in length, so what did they care for a 

 larger catch? 



Over both pond and stream hung trees with long, out- 

 reaching branches — some of them alluringly bare — such 

 watch-towers as nature, only, could construct. In the early 

 morning the sun shone on the bank where their home was to 

 be, and in the afternoon a beautiful tree cast a deep shade 

 over it. 



Then, too, the chosen place was in the neighborhood of 

 their childhood's home; not in the same bank — a railroad had 

 demolished that — but so near that either of them by taking 

 a short flight could view the scenes of childhood. Altogether 

 it seemed an ideal location for a home. With many a rattling 

 chuckle the pair congratulated themselves on the good for- 

 tune which had led them to it. 



When it came to building their dwelling — or digging 

 it, for their ways were not the ways of human creatures — 

 both took a hand — or claw — ^in the work. Sociologists would 

 have us believe that division of labor in the family is a prod- 

 uct of modern times. In the bird world it has been a custom 

 throughout the ages. There a wife is neither a drudge nor a 

 mere idler or entertainer, but a true companion and help- 

 meet, manifesting her love by always doing her share toward 

 making a home and providing for the family. 



For two long weeks both birds were occupied in excava- 

 ting the gallery, taking turn about at their task, stopping only 

 for refreshments and needed sleep. Though the work was 

 hard they cared little for that, for were they not looking f or- 



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