THE CITY OF THE BIRDS. 83 



about her treasures, as the finches, starlings and 

 warblers do, whenever their homes are approached. 

 Not a hide or feather of her is seen, though sev- 

 eral males are heard whistling as merrily as ever 

 in the neighboring copse. If one is quite near 

 them he hears in addition to the usual "Bob 

 White" a few introductory notes, as though the 

 birds were clearing their throats, and the last 

 word, ''white" or "wet" is uttered with a hissing 

 sound, like the "swish" of a whip-lash, when it is 

 forced rapidly through the air. 



On the second visit to the rare spot, I found 

 another egg had been added to the store, and all 

 had been differently arranged. They were now 

 carefully piled, one above the other, in a single 

 layer, quite high against the walls of the nest, so 

 that the cavity appeared paved or embossed with 

 enormous' pearls. It would have been a most 

 interesting sight to have seen just how madam, 

 with her claws 'and beak and wings, managed to 

 set her house in such regular order. Evidently 

 she had prepared it for the sitting season, and was 

 looking forward to the time when her treasures 

 would take to themselves legs and run away. 



When I called again on her ladyship I stood 

 before a deserted house. Alas ! it is with birds as 

 with mice and men, their best-laid plans 



"Aft gang a glae.'' 



