■EDYLLS of bird LIFE V 
V 
and a few feathers. The mother bird must have been off feed- 
' v ' . 
ing, as she was nowhere to be seen, and four bluish-white or 
\ greenish colored eggs, about the size of a robin’s egg, were to be 
seen in the nest. I did not tarry long, but carefully marked 
the place and hurried away. 
s/'' i \ ’*<. ■' .1^ 
About a week later, I paid a visit to the thrashers, intent 
upon making a study of the young birds. I went straight to 
where I had marked the location of the nest, but I could not 
/M 
4ft 
N 
Mm 
find it. Further searching failed to reveal their domicile, and 
I began an investigation of the nest. The thrashers’ home had 
been in the center part of the bramble bush about three feet 
from the ground. I could see where some heavy body had 
V / \ 
pushed its way through the brambles to get to the nest. Next, 
I discovered footprints, and the prints being of medium size I 
concluded that some ignorant young “rube” who didn’t have 
sense enough to know the value of a nest full of thrashers’ eggs, 
had stolen them to add to his collection. I was angry with a 
y J \ \ t 
righteous indignation. Had I caught the fellow, I do not care 
if he had been a six-footer, I would have proved to him that 
hereafter he had better leave his hands off the things that did 
not belong to him. I wended my way home,’ feeling sorry for 
the beautiful birds, whose home had been despoiled by some 
[ 36 ] 
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