220 THE BIRD. 
leaves one by one, with skill and conscientiousness, allowing nothing 
to pass which had not been attentively examined. 
Thus, in the gloomiest months, when the sleep of nature so closely 
resembles death, the bird continued for us the spectacle of life. Even 
among the snow, the thrush saluted us when we arose. During our 
grave winter walks we weré always accompanied by the wren, with 
its golden crest, its short, quick song, its soft and flute-like recall. 
The more familiar sparrows appeared on our balconies; punctual to 
the hour, they knew that twice a-day their meal would be ready for 
them, without any peril to their freedom. 
For the rest, the honest labourers, on the arrival of spring, scrupled 
to ask our aid. As soon as their young were able to fly, they joy- 
ously brought them to our windows, as if to thank and bless us. 
