Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-07-01

"Oh papa, seeI" cried little Charlie
Fenton.
He was standing in shadowy path in q
the woods, beckoniDg to his father.
When the latter joined his son he found
him in ecstacies over birds nest. 1t
was deserted nest; he had it in his
hands, and was closely examining it.
"Isn't it cute?" he said, his eyes shi-
ming.
1t was cunningly fashioned. indeed, in
terwOven with small sticks and shreds
of moss, lined with fine hair and beauti~
fully rounded.
at dropped from a tree, don't you
tbink?" Charlie asked.
"Quite likely" assented his father.
"Do birds ever use their nests twice?'
Charlie next asked.
Some of them do. Others make a
new nest every year. Some birds are
too lazy to build their own nests, and
lay their eggs in the nest of other birds.
How would you like to eat birdsn nest
soup?"
Charley looked up at his father to see
whether he was in earnest.
"BirdsInest soupp he repeated, staring
at the not overly clean structure of
twigs and hair. Nobody ever eats birds
nests
They do in some countries, my boy,
and consider them rich treat. In po-
tions of China, as high as forty dollars
has been paid for 'catty' of birds nests,
not weighing more than pound and
quarterP
"Ohl papa, Charlie cried in smazer
ment; mot nests like these!"
mo, not quite. They are found in
great abundance on the Island of Java.
1t is dangerous feat to gather them,
as they are built against the steep walls
of caverns which can only be reached by
ropes and bamboo ladders.
"But are they not very tasteless" p"
asked Charlie.
On they contrary, the are pronounced
quite nutritious. They are built of sea-
plants, which contain a nourishing sub
stance. 1 could tell you some wonder
full things about birds nests. What
would you think, for instance, if you
broke in through birds nests up to your
waist?"
"Why, father, how could I?" asked
Charlie, with a wide stare.
Easily enough, in some countries.
All nests are not built high. The PEN
guins are heavy birds. good swimmers,
but miserable walkers. They are not
able to build in the trees. and so they
build on the shores of the sea-"
"Out of what do they Hlild their
nests ?" asked Charlie.
well, they seem to be satisfied with
scoopiDg holes in the ground. Each
nest has concealed road, covered by
the grass. along which the birds travel"
The two were now walking through
the woods, Charlie carrying the nest in
one hand with the other.
Sometimes" continued Mr.. Fenton,
"these nest holes are so close together
that sailors sink into them while walk
ling. Some of them have received smart
blows from the beaks of the angry birds
before they had time to withdraw their
legs. l once read of sailor who left
portion eff his trowsers behind him.
Charlie laughed heartily.
THAT reminds me of the time med
died with the old hen" he said. she
gave me an awful Topping. You came
and chased her away"
"You were more scared than hurt, my
boyl She fancied that you had designs
upon her little chicks. The bower birds
build queer nest. 1t is in the form Of
an arch made by sticking small branches
In the ground and causing them to toHch
at the top; first laying pavement OF
round pebbles. They then decorate the
outside with pesrly shells, bright feath-
ers, and any shining object they can
find."
THE magpies are fond Of bright OBJ
jects, too, are they notp'
YES; so are the crows. When people
lose rings and watch chains, they often
look for them in the nests of the bower
birds. hoping to fad there. The nests
are often more than three feet long, and
afford shady retreat in which the birds
can promenade"
"And the bower keeps off the rain"
suggested Charlie.
"Well, shouldn't wonder if it did"
replied his fsther.-The Coral.
PROGRAMS. Invitations. wedding goods and