The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-05-25

and soon two little birds toddlcd out on
the .verandah, where sometimes was
afraid they would fall over, rs the wind
shook the pole TO and fro; but they did
not. One Of these we named Tom, the
other Polly; but they were so much
alike we could not tell thom apart.
They were objects of great carc to their
parents; but seemed obedient and kind
to each other. They never quarrclcd {;
but sat in the beautiful sunshine, wait
ing until they should be able to help
themselves and relieve their parents of
the burden of providing for them. The
parents, however, did not think it O
burden; but were happy in doing all
they could for their little birds.
Soon, with deal of noise, as if it
were rejoicing, the young birds Joined
the old ones in their flight, and were
rarely seen in the daytime round their
home. The summer wasted, the birds
flew away, and the house was vacated,
without previous notice.
The next spring the Martins came
again; but this time there were two
families, who took possession as before
and spent the summer with us, with but
one change. A little venturesome Mar
lin sat upon the vcrandah and saw n
yellow cat summing herself OH the shed
below. 1t was curious object TO the
bird, which leaned over, ,lostits balance.
and in an instant was in the jaws of the
cat We heard the terrified scream of
the old birds, but we were too late 10
give any assistance. Cats have no ten
der feelings, and young bird was
luxury not to be rejected. Indeed, that
cat came around the place for several
days, looking up with greedy eyes to
see if any more birds were likely TO fall.
After the Martins left nv house, a
lamily of English sparrows came and
took possession of its furnished apart
ments. They were a noisy and disor-
derly set of tenants, having great deal
OF boisterous company. did not like
this, any more than do TO see noisy
family intrude themselves into quiet
neighborhood. They kept possession
all winter; but at the usual time last
April my friends, the Martins, returned
and were indignant to find that their
rooms had been occupied. Doubtless.
they found the furniture injured and the
paper stained, and thought, perhaps, l
might have looked after things in their
absence. There seemed TO be three
families this time, and the sparrows ac-
tually tried to drive them away; but
they were too strong. One morning we
heard loud noise among the sparrows
holding an angry talk with the Martins
from the roof of a ncighboring house.
But the Martins quietly held their
ground, and when the sparrows swoop-
ed down upon them they resisted them
and drove them off. They have not re-
turned since, and think they will not.
The Martins at once went to work to re-
pair damages, and at the present time
there is prospect of a pleasant and
prosperous summer in the Martin fami-
lies.
l hope they saw that yellow cat round
yesterday, looking up at the house and
licking her lips, probably with a men,
ory of that bird last year. About the
houses Of birds and men there are evil
things lurking to harm those who are
not guarded against them. The great
est care is needed by all of us TO watch
for all such, lest, likc the poor little
bird, we may fall into the Jaws of the
DESTROYER.