138 CURIOUS HOMES AND THEIR TENANTS. 



civilized man, is apt to prove so valuable a cage bird, 

 uniting and excelling, as it does, the abilities and 

 accomplishments of the parrot and the mockingbird. 



STEALING A HOME. 



FROM PERSONAL OBSERVATION. 



"When the broad lily pads begin to cover the sur- 

 face of the ponds with green, and the growing leaves 

 of trees and shrubs yet retain their tender tints of 

 pink, the summer yellowbird makes his appearace, and 

 from hedge and bush may be heard his song, as simple 

 and pleasing as the tasteful but modest plumage that 

 covers his little person. As soon as they arrive among 

 us these busy httle birds begin to prepare for house- 

 keeping. The male bird flies about looking for such 

 things as feathers, plants, dried ferns, catkins from 

 willows, or anything else that will answer his purpose, 

 all of which he brings to his mate, who builds them 

 into a pretty nest. So quickly and deftly do this 

 little couple labor that they make the greater part 

 of their home in a single day. 



There is often another party watching the build- 

 ing of the nest with concern — a houseless, happy-go- 

 lucky gypsy, who has a tramp's interest in the house- 

 keeping of most of the smaller feathered dwellers of 

 the wood ; this is the well-known cow blackbird, who 

 does not like to give up her freedom for family cares. 



