IV 
BIRDS —NESTS 
He’ alert and vigilant the birds are, even 
when absorbed in building their nests! In an 
open space in the woods I see a pair of cedar-birds | 
collecting moss from the top of a dead tree. Fol- 
lowing the direction in which they fly, I soon dis- 
cover the nest placed in the fork of a small soft 
maple, which stands amid a thick growth of wild 
cherry-trees and young beeches. Carefully conceal- 
ing myself beneath it, without any fear that the 
workmen will hit me with a chip or let fall a tool, 
I await the return of the busy pair. Presently I 
hear the well-known note, and the female sweeps 
down and settles unsuspectingly into the half-fin- 
ished structure. Hardly have her wings rested be- 
fore her eye has penetrated my screen, and with a 
hurried movement of alarm she darts away. In a 
moment the male, with a tuft of wool in his beak 
(for there is a sheep pasture near), joins her, and 
the two reconnoitre the premises from the surround- 
ing bushes. With their beaks still loaded, they 
move around with a frightened look, and refuse to 
approach the nest till I have moved off and lain 
down behind a log. Then one of them ventures to 
