THE CITY OF THE BIRDS. 59 



the miner, who finds his nuggets of gold after 

 long and weary searching, and yet as treasures 

 that must not be taken away. 



Here is the very essence of the bird's life con- 

 centrated in this little nest ; the result of a thou- 

 sand miles' journey, and much sharp searching 

 for this particular fork ; the cause of exultation 

 and song, and weeks of watching and anxious 

 concern. 



Now that I have discovered the home, the 

 mother — who, by-the-way, resembles her mate, 

 and sings as well as he — makes no effort to 

 conceal herself, but hops about the bushes near 

 by, uttering a series of exclamations and ahs ! 

 much in the tone of the mother who forbids her 

 child handling any costly or easily-broken article. 

 There is an expression in her tone and action 

 hard to resist, and, as I withdraw, she immedi- 

 ately flits to the edge, looks down on her precious 

 casket of pearls, and finally settles upon them, for 

 the incubating fever has evidently taken posses- 

 sion of her. 



In how short a time the eggs are hatched, and 

 how quickly the nestlings grow ! Hardly a fort- 

 night has passed since these little white-eyes were 

 lying quiet and dumb, and exquisitely arranged 

 within the nest. 



Nature, though she has made a thousand ene- 

 mies that prey on just such defenseless house- 



