NESTLINGS OF FOREST AND MARSH 
busier life than she. With no aid, as we 
thought, from the male bird, she fed and 
guarded the little ones. The tree stood 
near a small slough, and there she found 
food in plenty without much hunting; but 
the nervous strain was very great on her, 
and she began to be ragged-looking and 
fidgety. I wondered where the father might 
be, for after the brood hatched we never 
heard his song or saw more than one parent 
(presumably the mother) near the nest at a 
time. Had he fallen a victim to cat, owl, 
or small boy ? However that may be, the 
small brown mother bore her part bravely 
and reared her family well. It rained hard 
one night, and early the next morning I 
went out to see the tiny thrushes. There 
sat the largest on the edge of the nest, preen- 
ing his feathers just as he had seen his 
mother do. I startled him by spattering 
him with raindrops from the leaves, and out 
he fluttered to a twig three feet away. This 
relieved the pressure at home, and imme- 
diately three little heads were raised and six 
248 
