old-fashioned garden, stocked with ancient fru There is a luxuriant undergrowth of currant berries, and raspberries, running almost w this paradise are admitted neither guns nor t it is a region well known to all our feathere bors, and is a most desirable place for thei building.

Nest-building was at its height in the t The most important mansion was owned by birds which, I believe, were thrushes, thou did not sing. They had gone about their affairs so silently that the youngsters wer fledged before the nest was discovered. Af for days, they gave me no little anxiety.

I used to be disturbed in my work by these gainly birds. They were nearly as large as pig and kept flying frantically about the garden, ing wildly, all because a curious but well-mea was peering into their nest. If my pet cat h

No such disaster happened; yet I confess n the thrush family finally disappeared, it eat relief to my mind.

xt friends were a pair of tomtits, which took n of a crack in the wall underneath my bedndow. It was a mystery how they contrived in and out of a hole apparently not big enough a large bluebottle fly. Their little family ve been reared in very cramped lodgings. ever saw the young ones, yet it was pleasant ning to watch the old birds flying to and fro, a moment outside of the crack, and then pop

y

They were very pretty birds, the father

-a natty little fellow, delicately shaped, glossy blue-black head. After feeding time r, he used to go and sit on the nearest tree, in his tiny house, brushing up his feathers, and

some large bird, which flew away in alarm. last I saw it, beak, head, and all, emerging hole in a half-decayed apple tree. It was

bird.

So, my friend," said I, "you have foun and you shall not be disturbed."

Therefore, though I passed the tree twe a day, and each time out flew a bird, for m I kept from taking any notice of the b housebuilders. At last, I ventured to There I saw, deep in the hollow tree, for eggs.

Considering them now fairly settled in h ing, I took every opportunity of becoming a with the newcomers. Soon I knew them sight, and they certainly had a fair chance ing the compliment.

The old birds were a goodly pair. Mr. named him, was an uncommonly handso

202

gentleman jet black, with the slenderest figure, the yellowest bill, and the brightest eyes. Indeed, he was quite a dandy among blackbirds. But, with all his beauty, he was the most attentive of husbands, and the most cheerful and musical of songsters. He had great richness and variety of song, and made distinct turns and trills.

He never tired of singing. Lying awake one night, I heard him begin with the first peep of dawn; and in showery weather his exuberant carols lasted all day long. But the treat of treats was to watch him perched on the topmost spray of a poplar, and listen to him in the still June evening singing to his wife and family. His cheerful song almost brought tears into one's eyes to think there should be such a happy creature in this cruel world.

All sorts of things were week after week happening in the outside world, while the blithe bird was . peaceful in his garden. He no doubt looked upon it as his own personal property, currants, raspberrybushes, and all. And still he sang over and over his song of love and joy.

Mrs. B. I rarely saw, not even when looking down into the nest, though she was probably there all the while, brooding dusky and motionless over the four eggs. I thought the eggs a long time hatching; but

lo! four wide-open mouths stretched themse from the bottom of the hole, demanding so to eat. They seemed to be mouths and nothi

The third, fourth, and all following days just the same. I never saw any young crea incessantly hungry. As soon as my step wa there arose from the heart of the apple tr gaping beaks appealing to me for their br It was very flattering—to be mistaken for

blackbird!

In course of time, my young family grew w less clamorous; but still they always chirped looked in at the nest, and their parents, seein result, became more at ease even familiar. a morning, as I sat reading under a tree abo yards off, Mrs. B. would come and sit on the near her nursery, and hold a soft chirping c tion with her little ones. Meanwhile her

was practicing his joyous music on the topmost