28 BIRDS IN LONDON 



out, there were two birds, male and female, 

 and they paired and set to work building a 

 nest on a tree. By and by, for some unknown 

 reason, they demolished the nest they had made 

 and started building a new one in another place. 

 This nest also failed to satisfy them and was 

 pulled to pieces like the first, and another 

 begun ; and finally, after half a dozen such 

 attempts, the cock bird, who was a strong 

 flyer, abandoned the task altogether and took 

 to roaming about London, possibly in search of 

 a new mate with a better knowledge of nest- 

 building. It was his habit to mount up to a 

 considerable height in the air, and soar about 

 above the Tower, then to fly away to St. Paul's 

 Cathedral, where he would perch on the cross 

 above the dome and survey the raree-show 

 beneath. Then he would wing his way to the 

 docks, or in some other direction ; and day by 

 day his wanderings over London were extended, 

 until the owner or owners of the bird were 

 warned that if his wings were not clipped he 

 would, soon or late, be lost. 



But when it was at last resolved to cut his 

 wings he refused to be caught. He had grown 

 shy and suspicious, and although he came for 



