pouch, where the ale and potion. were greatly thickened, 
to support the weight of the six or eight eggs, and, later, the 
small inmates scrambling about in the darkness. 
The nest was finished in a week and the birds dis- | 
appeared. One wondered at the waste of all the energy they 
had shown, but, in a few days found that they had only been 
taking a vacation, for back they came to start April house- 
keeping. 
| - The average Heudine time atten fhe eves were batted | 
was about once in eight minutes during the time they were © 
watched. A worm or an insect was continually disappearing _ 
with one or the other parent through - open door sone to | 
the wriggling pocketful. | 
There seems to be.a eood reason for two broods xd 
the large number of eggs of these small birds, for many _ 
such nests are robbed by enemies, such as Steller jay and 
the chipmunk. A bird’s life usually ends in a sudden way. _ 
Nature seems to phate naan in order that she may keep 
a balance of life. | 
One of these long nests was found swinging fro the 
lower branches of a red fir in the Washington. State Uuiver- 
sity grounds July 8th and for two weeks there were daily 
visits made by the members of a bird class. What ade- | 
light it was to see one of the parents light on the door-step 
and then plunge inside. By the twisting and swaying of © 
the nest, they know that there was something interesting © 
going on there, but they had to guess at the gaping mouths. 
July 17th, was a day of tragedy for the nestlings. They 
heard the pitiful notes of birds in distress as they approached 
and found the nest was gone. On searching the ground, 
they found it with a great hole on one side which told of the 
work of crow, jay, or chipmunk. A tiny dead bunch of 
feathers was drawn out of the nest, and then something | 
moved. The nest was tied to a hazel bush and, quick asa | 
thought, the parents went in at the front and out at the new 
back door. Gaining courage, they tried again, this time with 
43 
