28 HOME STUDIES IN NATURE. 



days building, and during this time I could not win the 

 male from his work. I tried the softest blandishments 

 — talked, chirruped, and whistled — all in vain ; he was 

 intent upon his work, and I was of no consequence 

 whatever. He was a most exemplary mate, doing his 

 share of the work with a will and perseverance even in 

 the face of temptation — an example of allegiance well 

 worthy to be followed. I began to fear that I had lost 

 my power over him ; but no : no sooner was he at lib- 

 erty than he returned to his pretty, confiding ways ; he 

 Would flutter close to me, and chatter and sing and per- 

 form curious evolutions, as if in an ecstasy of happiness. 



I had a large shallow dish of water set on the ground 

 in the midst of the shrubbery for the accommodation 

 of the birds; but soon so many came to bathe that it 

 was necessary to renew it every morning. My favorite 

 soon learned when I was coming with the water, so he 

 was on hand superintending the work, and waiting for 

 me to rinse out the dish and supply the fresh water, 

 which was no sooner done than he was in it, splashing 

 and enjoying himself. » 



It was August before the second brood was hatched, 

 and now that he had graver duties to perform, he was 

 much less attentive to me ; still he occasionally recog- 

 nized and played around me, but his powers of song 

 were greatly diminishing. 



On the evening of the 13th- of August three of the 

 young birds left the nest, and the female immediately 

 took them into the orchard, many rods away ; but she 



