142 



Tin Orio/e's 



behind the old wall, and so to a safe hiding 

 place near the hawthorn. 



The orioles had solved their problem ; the 

 bit of cloth was fastened there securely 

 among the thorns. Soon the birds came 

 back and, seizing some threads by the ends, 

 raveled them out without difficulty. It was 

 the work of but a moment to gather as much 

 material as they could use at one weaving. 

 For an hour or more I watched them work- 

 ing industriously between the hawthorn and 

 the old elm, where the nest was growing 

 rapidly to a beautiful 

 depth. Several times the 

 bit of cloth slipped from 

 the thorns as the birds 

 pulled, upon it; but as 

 often as it did they carried 

 it back and fastened it 

 more securely, till at last 



