OUR BIRDS IN WINTER. 
125 
and his confusion was not abated by the sig- 
nificant glances that he observed passing be- 
tween the visitors. Fortunately, he had some 
news with which he could turn the attention 
of the others from himself and Mrs. Woodcock, 
and he lost no time in telling it. 
Such a surprise as I have for you,” he 
said; ‘‘you can’t guess who visited me this 
morning, and who will shortly be here again. 
Who but old Pine Grosbeak,” answered Wood- 
cock, “ that was captured last year by a boy, in 
a trap, and kept in confinement until now. 
He has escaped, and is now looking for some 
of his friends ; but here he comes,” and Gros- 
beak at that moment joined the group. 
When the shower of welcomes and eager 
inquiries with which he was greeted had sub- 
sided, he gave a full account of his imprison- 
ment and his escape. When he had finished, 
all the party were warm in their congratula- 
tions, and he could not but be pleased at find- 
ing that he had so many friends. 
“ And isn’t it hard that we should be thus 
persecuted ? ” asked Chick-a-dee, when all 
