THE HOUSE THAT FELL 
to sit side by side on a clothes-post in the 
yard, with little mouths open and wings 
quivering for food, while he took care of 
his neighbor's children. 
The red-heads never seemed to resent this 
but once. Then there were young in the 
nest, and both parents had gone for food. 
During their absence I saw Monsieur Med- 
dlesome go to the nest-hole several times 
and look in. Each time a little wood- 
pecker head had been sticking out, and was 
hastily withdrawn at his approach. Whether 
he objected to their looking out or whether 
he was simply curious, I never knew, but he 
finally went clear inside the nest and stayed 
some time. I thought he was murdering 
the infants, but just as the mother came in 
sight away he flew, and a baby head peered 
out to watch his flight. However welcome 
the foster nurse was to the lonely little 
woodpeckers, the parents sorely resented 
the intrusion. With indescribable fury the 
mother followed him, and but for his ability 
in dodging and the red-head’s awkwardness, 
173 
