106 THE FRIENDSHIP OF NATURE 



and the glazed hay-loft window repelled 

 them. In a few years the paint grew 

 dim and weather-stained, crysalids 

 hung in the groovings, and the glazed 

 sash was left down to air the hay, so 

 that its sweets, floating out, reassured 

 them. In June a belated pair were 

 looking for lodgings, and the outside 

 not satisfying them, they ventured in 

 at the window and busied themselves 

 with a minute examination of every 

 beam and rafter, prying here and there 

 and peering about with the gait of 

 woodpeckers. Then they attempted a 

 nest, and all one day brought clay, 

 with which, together with hay-straws, 

 they moulded a bracket ; but the second 

 day it fell all in a lump, the smooth 

 wood having in some way upset their 

 plan of adhesion. They began another 

 tour of inspection, and they found a 

 support that was made of mellow old 



