THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 227 
when I fortunately made my appearance and pre- 
vented him, being well aware of the nest, the 
birds having built there for three or four years. 
When I perceived him with the ladder against the 
tree, and pruning knife in hand, I instantly thought 
of the poor little feathered nurslings, and, giving an 
involuntary scream, startled the boy, which occa- 
sioned him to let fall hat, nest, and birds. Fortu- 
nately, the little creatures were not hurt, therefore I 
determined to replace them, with their nice warm 
habitation, in their old situation ; but the lad had so 
mutilated the tree, that I found there was no protec- 
tion for them against cold, cats, or birds of prey ; so, 
carefully placing the nest in a large shrub, inside, near 
the window, I waited at a little distance to see if the 
parent birds would discover their offspring, which 
continued chirping with all their might. I soon had 
the pleasure of seeing the old birds come in and 
survey the place with much attention ; at length the 
hen resumed her place on the nest, while her mate 
went in search of food ; presently he returned, and, 
after a sort of twitter from the hen, (no doubt assur- 
ing him of their safety,) he deposited whatever he 
had brought close to her. For nearly an hour that I 
