74 



The Goldcii-crcstcd JVrcn. 



Thus if, when they are all alert and busy on the tree-branch, 

 seeking for insects and fearing no evil, the branch be suddenly 

 struck with a stick, the poor bird falls dead to the ground. The 

 shock has killed it. It has received no apparent injury — not a 

 feather is ruffled — but its joyous, innocent life is gone for ever. 

 This fact is asserted by Gilbert White, and was proved by my 

 husband, who brought me home the bird which had thus died. 



