straw and carry it about. So early does the ma- 

 ternal instindl show itself. This straw was its doll- 

 baby, the only plaything it could know, and this 

 its solemn play. There is a mild and innocent 

 expression about young birds, as there is in the 

 faces of children, apparent to a keen vision only. 

 They have yet to be hardened by experience and 

 vicissitude. The countenances of the old take on 

 an astute and alert expression. These young black- 

 and-white creepers and chestnut warblers, now 

 shifting for themselves for the first time, come 

 about with gentle confidence. They creep and 

 flit through the trees, coming nearer and nearer, 

 until you look dire<ftly into their small innocent 

 faces and could put your hand upon them. Then 

 as it would seem they were about to descend like 

 blessings upon your head, they withdraw and recede 

 from view into the wilderness of leaves where only 

 your thoughts may follow them. 



39 



