216 
THE TOWHEE BUNTINGS 
Bob by the wing the moment he made a lunge 
at him, tried to get him completely in his 
power ; but Bob with a mighty effort tore him- 
self from the grasp of his enemy, and, although 
his wing was badly shattered at the shoulder, 
succeeded in escaping and joining his three 
children that he heard crying in the grass a 
few yards off. 
The mink did not follow them, but con- 
tented himself with making a meal of Mrs. 
Bob and her chick ; and, as it was now near 
daybreak, he retreated to his home in the 
ledge, for Mr. Mink rarely permits himself to 
be seen in the daytime, but prefers the quiet 
of the night for his piratical wanderings. 
— « — 
CHAPTER Y. 
As soon as the neighboring birds heard of the 
disaster to Bob’s family, all was confusion and 
dismay, for they felt that they were likely to 
