PHASES OP BIRD LIFE. 175 



same kind of leaves, of which the blade, instead of 

 being stripped off, was perforated with innumerable 

 small holes, making them look like extremely fine 

 sieves. In some cases the blades seemed to be 

 split, leaving the veins and veinlets exposed, so that 

 one could trace their intricate net-work. Another 

 cuckoo nest had both the stripped and perforated 

 leaves, but fewer of each kind. Whether the birds 

 themselves did the artistic work on these leaves or 

 not, — that is a question. The stripping of the 

 upper layer of their blades would allow the dust and 

 scaly substance shed by the young birds, to sift 

 through to the second layer, where it would not 

 come in direct contact with the nurslings. The 

 two carpets were laid, no doubt, in the interests of 

 health and cleanliness. 



But it is time to turn our attention to the children 

 of the nursery. The life of young birds in the nest, 

 — what a field for study ! One thing they learn 

 very early, probably almost as soon as they emerge 

 from the shell ; that is, to open their mouths for 

 food. No tutor or professor needed for that ! Most 

 young birds soon become quite clamorous for their 

 rations. Lowell must have looked into more than 

 one bird nursery, or he scarcely would have thought 

 of writing the lines, — 



" Blind nestlings, unafraid, 

 Stretch up, wide-mouthed, to every shade 

 By which their downy dream is stirred. 

 Taking it for the mother-bird." 



A nestful of half-callow younglings, standing on 



