CHAPTER IX 



SOME GARDEN BIEDS 



Of the many birds that make their home in 

 the garden where I Uve, my favourites are 

 the pied wagtails, that nest every spring 

 among the creepers on the wall of the house. 

 They are so smart in their black, white, and 

 grey plumage, and flirt their long tails with 

 such an impudent air, that I am never tired 

 of watching them as they run to and fro 

 on the lawn after the flies, now springing up 

 into the air, then running quickly across the 

 grass, and all the time the picture of dainty 

 life and grace. Each spring they come back, 

 and are soon busy gathering odds and ends of 

 dried grass suitable for nest-making, together 

 with feathers to make a soft lining for the 

 treasures that the nest will presently hold. 

 Though bold and in some ways cheeky little 

 birds, they are also cautious, and neither 

 cock nor hen ventures near the nest while they 

 think that you are watching them. They will 

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