The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-06-07
Tho Starlln3s' Nest,

Rev. J.D. Boil, Of Tottonrldge Park,
Herts, England, has large school Of
over one hundred boys, consequently a
very large establishment, and the daily
receipts of letters very large; he had to
send about mile for his letters so he
obtained permission to have letter.
box fixed in his park-pailing, at the
nearest point to the house, as the post
man passed this point, and 1t IS on the
side OF large shrubbery Of many years
growth. The slip outside the rails was
about six feet high, and, Of course, the
box for the letters wasa large square
one, about eighteen inches by twelve
During the first week of its being put
up, twice each day the letters were
fetched, and each time double hand
ful of small sticks and straw was
thrown QUO Of the box, which was at
tributed to mschievlous boys on their
way to school. After two or three
days a messenge: was sent round to the
house with two letters found on the
road, next day several more, and this
rubbish continued to be put in the box
although twice day thrown out. The
letters being found on the road, caused
Mr.. Bell to set watch Tor the boys,
but none were seen to go near. Next
morning the rubbish had been put In
the box In larger quantities, Il nest
put In one corner and II blue egg. Now
OF course, Mrs. Startling was found out;
she continued daily to add to the num-
Vn I,;t
and for several days large number of
letters were thrown upon her, rs she
sat, the box door opened and the letters
taken away, but she never lett her nest
as they took the letters of her back
The passcr-by on the road must hayc
discovered her, for one morning
stone was found to have fallen and
brok y the eggs (no doubt a mischev-
ous boy), the stone was thrown out,
and when they went to clear the box
they found she was covering the broken
Eggs With flowers, dog-dasics and
prim-roscs. In a few days she formed
nest In another corner and laid four
eggs. These were likewise broken and
covered with flowers. Then another
corner and three eggs. These were
broken with stones dropped in, and the
same process Of covering up with flow
ers. Then the fourth corner, she laid
two eggs, and to save her from the out
side enemy we cut her piece out of
the door. Here she WAS for time safe.
She sat, and had two young ones; when
nearly ready to fly, he heard n great
M ~ 80 hn
ran to it and caught n boy ''jobbng"
with stick through the outside slip,
the mother extending her wings to
protect her young-onc killed and the
other slightly injured; the old bird
much bruised; she flew into large
cedar tree just over his head, while he
TOOK the young one into his hand and
strokcd Its feathers into shape; after
some minutes It flew into the tree to It's
mother, when the noise Of great
quantity OF starlings assembled In the
tree was astounding, quite dcafening.
Here was the rejoicing over the one
saved Mr.. Bell says, what subject
for an address on perseverancol
know you to take great interest In these
matters. | cannot help but forward
you description Of such an event. TO
me such is new; to sit without fear
when covered with letters; the same
when the hand took them or her: to
cover the broken eggs with ilowcrs and
persistently to use the four corners of
the lctter-boX rs soon rs her nest was
destroyed In the other. and laying re-
specttNcly five, four, three and two-as
she was no doubt weakened by these
natural efforts.