170 DAYS OUT OF DOORS. 



fails to hold its contents safely. From my seat among the 

 larger branches I can see the sitting hird plainly, and it 

 often — so I think — eyes me with a deal of curiosity in its 

 countenance. A week ago it was timidity that filled its 

 breast, but not so now. To-day no sooner had the bird 

 left its nest than it hopped to within three feet of me, and 

 while preening its feathers looked at me with an inquiring 

 gaze. Whether satisfied or not, I do not know, but soon 

 it fell to singing and fly-catching, threading the maze of 

 branches high oyerhead, and often coming back to its 

 perch just in front of me. Perhaps it thought so long as 

 I remained where I was, the nest and its contents were 

 safe. I have little doubt but that this tras the impelling 

 motive, yet it needed no active imagination to interpret 

 the bird's actions as evidence that it desired a closer ac- 

 quaintance, and I almost expected at times to be politely 

 oilered a worm. All went well for several days, and I an- 

 ticipated much ; but suddenly a change came over the 

 poor redeye's dreams. In a desolate, absent manner it 

 haunted the tree but avoided the nest, and its mate was 

 nowhere to be seen. I ventured to examine the nest, and 

 found the eggs gone and a single one of a cow-bird in 

 their place. For once this fraud in feathers had not de- 

 ceived the redeye. It knew it had been villainously im- 

 posed upon, and would not be comforted. I threw out the 

 egg with much vehemence, and just then the troubled 

 redeye chirped loudly. I took it as commendatory of my 

 act. 



I miss these birds, but they have cousins that have 

 been more fortunate. The warbling vireos sing inces- 

 santly. When at noon even robins are in doubt and 

 the indigo finch stops to consider, they loudly laugh at 

 the idea of discomfort, and do not even seek the shade, 

 A pair of these have a nest near by, but I can not find it. 

 It is so near that its position is unsuspected, and next au- 



