“upon an occupied bed, pitas in ott miovernehte across 
it and down to the floor, then out the open door, apparently 
_making remarks about the laziness of someone who had 
failed to set the bird table. | 
His whole appearance was eased. | no longer anxious 
~ and weary, he strutted along with the abandon of a young — 
swain. With shining feathers and a wink of one red eye | 
he seemed to be saying, “Life is once more care-free.’ The 
- complaining “me-yay” of his underbrush cry seemed for- : 
gotten. Mounting to the top whorl of the spire of a young ~ 
evergreen tree he recalled his spring love song, which is : 
somewhat like the trill made by a grasshopper’s wings, but - | 
it has a wheezy, buzzing character that is quite its own. 
Thereafter, during the shortening days of September and — ' 
October he spent long hours repeating his monotonous — q 
theme, until advancing winter quieted his ardor and caused 
~ him to seek the Shelter of me heavy undergrowth for most . 
of his time. 
His boarding es was not eoreaien. Gowever ‘Many 
a meal did he and his mate eat in the following months, one 
at a time at the table outside of the window, while his land- ~ | 
lady enjoyed company with her food, looking at them 
through the sheltering glass as the pattering rain tapped on | 
_ the roof or feathery flakes of snow. whitened the trees. 
148 
