MONSIEUR MISCHIEF 
flight at a distance from the nest. Thus the 
home is kept neat, and no betraying debris 
falls upon the ground below. 
An attachment for their old nesting-place 
is, I believe, characteristic of the catbirds, 
so often have I heard them complaining at 
any approach to their empty nests. This 
family was no exception, and long after the 
little ones were out they resented with loud 
protests any intrusion on their former 
nursery. 
As they looked at me with eyes that 
questioned my intentions, and seemed to 
read my inmost thoughts, I became more 
and more impressed with their startling 
intelligence. Did they really divine my 
thoughts? How could they tell I coveted 
that well-made nest ? 
223 
