OUR COUNTRY LIFE 



him water from the medicine dropper. That seemed 

 to revive him a bit, so I took him down to the dog- 

 trot; but as he still panted, I added to the water a wee 

 drop of whisky. He had no sooner swallowed this 

 than he spread out his wings and dashed to the ceiling. 

 That would never do, for he would certainly hurt him- 

 self against the glass, so I caught him again. He did 

 not seem afraid, possibly he might have been still dazed 

 by his adventures; but the instant I opened my hand 

 in the outer air away flew Mr. Vireo and was out of 

 sight in a trice. This reminds me that last year a pair 

 of warbling vireos built their nests in a maple tree close 

 to our main entrance, and their delicious notes were a 

 great addition to our summer chorus. I wonder 

 where their dainty basket cradle hung this summer; 

 for although we heard them often we failed to find 

 their nursery. 



October 28. Last night I heard a grating noise at 

 my window, and looking out, perceived plainly the 

 pointed nose of a field mouse rapidly enlarging the 

 hole of the wren box to suit his larger bulk. This morn- 



58 



