20 
THE BROWN THRUSHES: 
a dwelling-place. These were the near neigh- 
bors. In a swampy meadow just the other 
side of the oak-grove. Redwing Blackbird, his 
wife, and family had a home ; and in a hollow 
trunk of a tree in the thickest part of the for- 
est, an old bachelor named Red Owl lived soli- 
tary and alone. 
Besides these, within an eighth of a mile, 
there were the Cedar Birds and Yellow War- 
blers, and Song Sparrows, and tliose hateful, 
piratical things, the Blue Jays. Altogether, 
the neighborhood was pretty populous, and 
Brown and his cara sposa need not want for 
society. On the next day the gallant young 
husband escorted his mate to her nest, when, 
having seen her comfortably arranged, he took 
his position in a tree near by, and singing his 
sweetest songs, he cheered her on in tlie labors 
which she had now commenced. After a large 
part of the day had passed, in which he had 
taken care that Mrs. B. was supplied with the 
choicest of delicacies, he took her place on the 
eggs, and permitted her to go abroad, and 
take a little exercise ; for he was not a selfish 
