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SPUING WORK 
81 
see that is smaller than a hornbiil, as “ a sort of 
finch.” But this particular ground oven I knew 
well. His nest was in a bank between a tuft 
of grass and a primrose plant, and I had often 
watched my little brown and olive-green friend 
hopping about, and I suppose he wished to 
show a like friendly interest in my movements. 
Birds are only frightened when they are noisily 
disturbed. I have often peeped at a thrush or 
blackbird on its eggs so gently that they would 
not fly away, or would return in a very few 
minutes, before the eggs were cold or the 
young birds afraid. It is indeed sad when 
their nests are destroyed by mischievous 
children. 
Hear what the mournful linnets say : 
“ We built our nest compact and warm, 
But cruel boys came round our way, 
And took our summer house by storm. 
“ They crushed the eggs so neatly laid ; 
So now we sit with drooping wing, 
And watch the ruin they have made, 
Too late to build, too sad to sing.” 
Christina Rossetti. 
Children should rather welcome birds and 
their nests in their gardens, as they add to 
the beauty and joyousness of them, and also 
they do their share of work by eating up many 
naughty insects that might harm the flowers. 
G 
