NESTLINGS OF POOREST AND MARSH 
alighted near a moment and did not feed 
them. 
It was five days after the flight of the 
first when these two were seen outside the 
nest, on a branch and nearer the window. 
Then the mother hovered frantically near 
them, afraid lest they fly too far and yet 
anxious to get them away from danger. 
She grew very cross and scolded constantly, 
savagely driving away every bird that came 
near the tree, apparently not knowing that 
by so doing she was telling the world what 
treasures were hidden there. I pitied her, 
left with the responsibility of those two lazy 
nestlings. There they sat, stupid, obstinate, 
refusing to budge. In vain she coaxed, in 
vain she offered tempting bits just out of 
reach. They nestled up to each other, shut 
their eyes, and slept. I believe I might 
have captured them with little trouble ; and 
evidently the mother thought so too, for 
her distress was pitiful and compelled me 
to leave the window. 
Where the father was during this troub- 
74 
