MARSH CRADLES 
contents. The brave wrens have a serious 
time guarding their homes from these marau- 
ders, and a dread seized us each morning lest 
the treasure in this one be gone. But so 
Two is company ” 
well surrounded and concealed was it that 
the brood was reared without mishaps, and 
five little marsh wrens were safely launched 
into a world of waving green. 
It took fifteen days for the eggs to hatch, 
and afterwards such a long, long time be- 
fore the first downy head peeped through 
the doorway. The mother was not a close 
sitter, whether because of our presence or 
because she knew the warm sun would help 
in her task. It was certainly steaming in- 
side that round ball, and the tiny eggs felt 
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